Come fa il paracetamolo a sapere dove si trova il nostro dolore?

Nel Regno Unito, si stima 6,300 tonnes of paracetamol are sold each year. The drug was first used in 1956, and has been coming to our rescue ever since, becoming a household drug after gaining popularity between the 1960s to 1980s.

Quando dovresti prendere il paracetamolo?

Paracetamol is generally used to treat pain and febbre in adults and children. It tends to be best for mild or moderate pain. Other conditions paracetamol can treat include:

• Mal di testa.

• Muscle aches.

• Artrite.

• Toothaches.

• Raffreddori.

• Mal di schiena.

The usual dose of paracetamol è una o due compresse da 500 mg alla volta. Puoi prendere il paracetamolo ogni quattro o sei ore, o fino a quattro volte al giorno se necessario. Puoi prenderlo prima o dopo aver mangiato. Tuttavia, non dovresti assumere più di quattro dosi in un periodo di 24 ore.

Dr Tom Micklewright stresses the importance of always reading the label and information leaflet before taking any medication - paracetamol is no exception.

Reading up on paracetamol before you take it helps make you aware of any possible side effects and how it will work best for you. If you are unsure, you should consult your GP before taking paracetamol.

"Taking paracetamol is safe for most people. It is usually one of the first treatments prescribed, since it is suitable for the majority. Paracetamol is fine for those who are in gravidanza o allattamento. However, some people need to be more cautious when taking paracetamol and should consult their doctor or pharmacist for advice.

"This is particularly important if you've previously had an allergic reaction to it, have liver problems, take farmaci per l'epilessia or tuberculosis, are on warfarin, consumano regolarmente grandi quantità di alcol o assumono altri farmaci," dice il Dr. Micklewright.

Puoi acquistare il paracetamolo a un costo relativamente basso senza prescrizione nella tua farmacia o nella maggior parte dei supermercati. Spesso non pensiamo che esistano diversi tipi di paracetamolo, ma si presenta in diverse forme. Puoi acquistare la maggior parte di essi, ma alcuni sono disponibili solo su prescrizione medica.

I diversi tipi di paracetamolo

• Compresse.

• Liquids - usually for children.

• Capsules.

• Suppositories - these are inserted into the back passage.

• Compresse solubili - si dissolvono in acqua così puoi berle.

• Iniezioni in vena - queste sono normalmente utilizzate solo negli ospedali.

Amazingly, we still don't know precisely how paracetamol works. However, it probably has an effect in several parts of the body, incluso il sito del dolore (come un braccio dolorante) e nel cervello dove i segnali del dolore vengono interpretati.

Pain medicines in general are able to block the processes that cause those feelings of pain. These occur when electrical signals travel from the site of pain, up our nerves, to the spinal cord and up to the brain. Paracetamol can interrompere i messaggi in diverse parti del cervello involved in processing pain.

It also appears to inibire l'azione delle sostanze chimiche called prostaglandins, which are released when cells in our bodies are injured. Some or our nerves have specialised pain receptors called nociceptors. These are very sensitive to prostaglandin - so by damping down the effect of prostaglandin, our brains aren't alert to the pain in the same way. In addition, paracetamol has an impact on prostaglandins in our brains.

The pain signals in our brains are designed to help us, even though pain is unpleasant. Pain signals tell the brain that something is wrong, warning us to react to danger, like removing our hand from a fire. Therefore, while pain hurts in the short term, it can protect us from further injury in the long run.

Dr Micklewright explains how paracetamol also reduces fever by affecting chemical messages in the area of the brain that controls our body temperature. Paracetamol can take up to an hour to get to work in the body.

Dr Micklewright says that some medications, such as co-codamol or solpadeine, contain paracetamol, so it's important not to take these at the same time. If you do, you are at risk of an overdose. However, other painkillers that don't contain paracetamol, such as ibuprofen, aspirina and codeine, are safe to take alongside paracetamol.

"When taken correctly it's rare to experience side effects from paracetamol, as it is well-tolerated by the body," assures Dr Micklewright.

You might occasionally experience adverse reactions. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting and stipsi.

However, if you notice any unusual side effects after taking paracetamol, call 999 (UK) or go to A&E.

Rare side effects that require immediate medical attention

• Red spots on your skin.

• Rashes oppure orticaria.

• Generalised itching.

• Bloody or cloudy urine.

• Bloody or black feci.

• Sharp lower dolore alla schiena o al fianco.

• Sanguinamento insolito.

• Yellow eyes.

• Ulcere or white spots in or around your mouth.

• Febbre.

"If you have taken more than two extra tablets of paracetamol or more than eight within 24 hours, you might be at risk of dangerous side effects, such as liver damage," says Dr Micklewright.

"If you think you may have taken more than the recommended amount, call 111, even if you are feeling well. If you need to go to A&E then it can be helpful to take the packet of paracetamol with you and tell the doctor exactly how much has been taken."