-5%
Paracetamol provides pain relief primarily by inhibiting the transmission of pain signals at the peripheral level. It reduces fever by acting on the hypothalamic heat-regulating center in the brain.
Its anti-inflammatory effect is mild and is linked to inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis within the central nervous system (CNS).
Paracetamol mainly acts centrally by inhibiting cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes (COX-1, COX-2, and possibly COX-3), which are involved in prostaglandin production. Unlike NSAIDs, it has minimal effect on peripheral tissues and therefore lacks significant anti-inflammatory activity. Its effectiveness is more pronounced in the CNS, possibly due to lower peroxide levels compared to peripheral tissues.
Paracetamol is indicated for the relief of:
- Fever, common cold, and influenza
- Headache, toothache, and earache
- Body pain, muscle pain (myalgia), and nerve pain (neuralgia)
- Menstrual pain (dysmenorrhoea)
- Sprains, colicky pain, and back pain
- Post-operative and postpartum pain
- Inflammatory pain and post-vaccination fever in children
- Rheumatic and osteoarthritis-related pain and joint stiffness