♥ Paracetamol~

Paracetamol is a widely used as a pain reliever and fever reducer. It is commonly used for the relief of fever, headaches, and aches and pains. Paracetamol is also used in the management of more severe pain (such as cancer).



Generally safe for human use at recommended doses, acute overdoses (above 1000 mg per single dose and above 4000 mg per day for adults, above 2000 mg per day if drinking alcohol) of paracetamol can cause fatal liver damage and, in rare individuals, a normal dose can do the same. Paracetamol toxicity is the most cause of liver failure.

Paracetamol is derived from coal tar, and it is a part of the class of drugs. Paracetamol consists of a benzene ring, substituted by one hydroxyl group and the nitrogen atom of an amide group. The amide group is acetamide. The presence of the two activate groups also make the benzene ring highly reactive. Compared with many other drugs, paracetamol is much more easier to synthesize.

Industrial preparation of paracetamol usually proceeds from nitrobenzene. Paracetamol can be easily prepared in the laboratory by nitrating phenol with sodium nitrate, separating the desired p-nitrophenol from the ortho- byproduct, and reducing the nitro group with sodium borohydride. The resultant p-aminophenol is then acetylated with acetic anhydride. In this reaction, phenol is strongly activating, thus the reaction only requires mild conditions:

Paracetamol is commonly available in a tablet and capsule. The recommended maximum daily dose, for adults, is 4 grams. Paracetamol generally is safe for children, as well as for adults. Panadol, which is marketed and it is the most widely available brand. Taking too much of paracetamol is not good for our health.