2024-04-08 20:00:00
Often taken to relieve muscle pain and fever, paracetamol is available without a prescription and ranks among the most used medications in the world. Considered safe, it is nevertheless very harmful to the liver, according to a study.
Paracetamol is the drug of choice for the French, with no less than 600 million boxes sold in France in 2022. This analgesic is often considered a miracle solution to relieve various types of pain (fever, period and muscle pain, allergies, cold or flu symptoms). Its popularity results in high demand in pharmacies, particularly for boxes of Doliprane, which can sometimes lead to shortages.
Significant side effects on the liver
Although considered safe when used correctly, paracetamol can cause acute liver failurewhich may even lead to the need a liver transplant in case of overdosereports the Parisian. According to a study carried out by the multisource observatory of acute poisonings in Île-de-France, it is the first cause of acute liver failure and the second reason for calls to the Paris poison control center, behind bromazepam and ahead of ibuprofen and hydroxyzine in case of voluntary ingestion. Thus, although paracetamol is often perceived as harmless, “all medications can potentially cause drug-induced hepatitis”, indicates Professor Gabriel Perlemuter, gastroenterologist, to Le Parisien. It is therefore crucial not to underestimate this risk, especially when alcohol is also consumed, thus increasing paracetamol toxicity for the liver.
What dose of paracetamol to take?
It is recommended never to exceed one gram of paracetamol per dose, with a maximum dose of 4000 mg per day for adults. You must wait 6 hours following each dose and do not consume it following drinking alcohol. For children, the dose depends on their body weight, with a specific dosage adapted to each case. ANSESrecommended approximately 60 mg/kg per day for children between 27 kg (from approximately 8 years) and 50 kg.
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