Paracetamol course for Medical Doctors

This session describes the pharmacology of paracetamol and its clinical uses as an analgesic.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session you will be able to:

• Outline potential mechanisms of action of paracetamol
• Identify common side-effects associated with paracetamol
• Describe the mechanisms of paracetamol overdose and its treatment
• List common routes of administration

Paracetamol was first introduced to the UK in 1956 as a prescription medicine. By the late 1960s, it had gained popularity as an over-the-counter analgesic. It is widely available, from pharmacies to corner-shops, in a host of preparations, on its own and in combination with other analgesics, decongestants and adjunctives.