Many people take paracetamol for fever but what do you think? Does paracetamol reduce fever? Is it good medicine? Well, you will find all the answers in this article so stay connected till the end. When our body raises its temperature to fight germs, we try to reduce it by taking medicines however, the treatment you should take depends on the severity of the fever.
Paracetamol not only helps in reducing body temperature but also works in treating mild pain relief, headaches, and sprains. It is most commonly used because it suits almost everyone and its side effects are rarely seen. This medicine is available in many forms and offers a lot more benefits. Children and Pregnant women can also take paracetamol for fever as it is safe to use.
Is paracetamol good for fever?
Yes, surely it is and it is one of the most prescribed medications. Your fever is likely to reduce after 30 to 40 minutes of taking this medicine and your body will continue to feel its effects for 5 to 7 hours. However, it is always a good idea to consult with your doctor before taking any medicine.
Source: Img.etimg.com
The cause of fever is usually infection so you should try to focus on that instead of taking paracetamol for fever. Otherwise, you will only slow down your body’s mechanism of fighting and killing germs. The research showed that higher body temperatures tend to be more effective in healing diseases like chicken pox and malaria.
How many times can you take paracetamol for fever in a day?
It is important to read the instruction manual before taking any medicine if it is not prescribed by your doctor. The dosage depends on many factors including your age and weight, if you are an adult then you can take one to two tablets of 500mg after every 6 hours. The dosage also depends on your condition.
The kids can take paracetamol liquid as per the instructions of the doctor or leaflet, and young children can take it with a syringe. Do not try to increase the dose on your own, instead, consult the doctor if it is not working. You should not use it with other medications that are containing paracetamol in their ingredients.
How many types of paracetamol are available?
If you are trying to buy paracetamol for fever, you should know that not all of its forms are available everywhere, and even some need a prescription. The types of paracetamol are given below:
- Liquid form.
- Tablets.
- Capsules
- Soluble Tablets.
- Paracetamol Injections.
- Paracetamol is also added to the ingredients of other medications.
How does paracetamol work?
It affects the particular area in our brain that is responsible for regulating temperature in our body. When we take paracetamol in any form, it is supposed to reduce the production of prostaglandins in the spinal cord and brain. Even when the cause of the pain is still present, the main reason for taking paracetamol is that we experience less discomfort.
The way that paracetamol is taken also affects how it works since liquid paracetamol usually takes action faster than tablet paracetamol because it absorbs more quickly in the body.
Side effects of taking paracetamol for fever:
Now that you know the answer to ‘does paracetamol reduce fever’, let’s have a look at its side effects. Even though if you are taking paracetamol for fever, it is very uncommon to see its side effects but some people may have an allergic reaction which could lead to rashes and swelling.
Low blood pressure, fast heartbeat, and flushing are also among the rare side effects of paracetamol. In most severe cases, kidney or liver damage could also happen if you take too much of this medicine.
Blood diseases include leukopenia (low white blood cell count) and thrombocytopenia may also be negative effects (low number of platelet cells). Go to the doctor right away if you have any changes in your body after taking paracetamol for fever.
Who should and shouldn’t use paracetamol for fever?
Is paracetamol good for fever in infants or pregnant women? Well, it is safe to use for most people including pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and children over 2 months of age (lower doses). If you have a medical history then it is good to consult your doctor first before taking any medicine.
Source: I.guim.co.uk
People who have any kind of liver or kidney problems, have experienced allergic reactions in the past, or are underweight are not recommended to take paracetamol for fever. If you are an alcoholic and struggling with anything else then do not use paracetamol or any kind of medicine before consulting a doctor.
What happens if you take too much paracetamol?
It is not a good idea to take too much paracetamol for fever even if your fever isn’t getting under control because there could be other reasons for it and the overdose can harm you in many other different ways.
If you take more than the prescribed dose, you might feel vomiting, abdominal pain, and other similar conditions so if you have taken it by mistake, go to the doctor immediately.
Final Verdict:
Yes, Paracetamol is a good medicine that helps in reducing fever, you now have a brief answer to the question that many people ask ‘Is Paracetamol good for fever or not”. All the information about Paracetamol including how and when to use this medicine, and who can and cannot use this medicine is shared above and we hope that you found this article informative.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What does paracetamol actually do?
It looks after your body by lowering the fever and curing minor discomfort. Also, it provides the finest relief from migraines, backaches, toothaches, strained muscles, and period discomfort.
Why does paracetamol not reduce fever?
You are likely to be infected by a virus if your fever is unable to get controlled by paracetamol.
