Paliatívna medicína a liečba bolesti 1/2008

PARACETAMOL KNOWN – UNKNOWN

Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is one of the most commonly used antipyretic and analgetic drugs for the relief of mild to moderate pain in the world. In keeping with high safety and well tolerability it is recommended for all segments of the population from newborns to elderly. Although the mechanism of its therapeutic action has not been fully established, there is evidence to suggest the analgesic effect result through prostaglandins, as well as serotonergic and noradrenergic pathways, and so it is also effective for somatic and neuropatic pain. The knowledge of the pharmacokinetic of different galenic forms enhances the safety. In the elderly, due to high comorbidity and taking many different drugs, it is very important to know the interactions and possibilities for the safe combination of drugs with paracetamol.

Keywords: paracetamol, mechanism of action, pharmacokinetic, interactions.