Prakt. lékáren. 2013; 9(6): 240-242

Correct dosage of paracetamol; analgesic efficacy of paracetamol in combination with caffeine

Lenka Součková

Anesteziologicko-resuscitační klinika, FN u sv. Anny v Brně

Paracetamol is currently among the most widely used analgesics worldwide. Many years of experience with the use of paracetamol have

shown its excellent tolerability and efficacy in therapeutic doses, which are the main reasons for its frequent prescription and usage

both in patients in infancy and toddlerhood and in children of preschool and school age, as well as in adult and geriatric patients, but

also pregnant and breast-feeding patients. In a number of countries, paracetamol is among over-the-counter drugs and thus ranks first

in the consumption of analgesic-antipyretic drugs in many cases.

With the increasing use of paracetamol, however, there are increasing cases of severe liver damage associated with its overdose. On the

other hand, in individuals with a body weight over 50 kg, underdosage occurs with the use of one 500 mg paracetamol tablet, which may

result in reduced analgesic efficacy. Physicians and pharmacists should emphasise the need for patients to administer a correct dose in

order to achieve the desired analgesic effect. The dosage should be defined based on the patient’s body weight. The generally stated

single analgesic dose of paracetamol by mouth is 10 mg/kg to 15 mg/kg.

Keywords: paracetamol, dosage, caffeine, hepatotoxicity

Published: December 1, 2013  Show citation