Paracetamol is widely use used as a common painkiller to fight pain and fever. It is not a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory. Unlike ibuprofen and aspirin, it affects the nervous system.
People suffering from chronic pain normally take paracetamol but many studies and Dr Philippa argue on its usage.
In an exclusive interview with ITV’s ‘This Morning’ show on Monday, Dr Philippa explained about the side effects of Paracetamol.
“There is a condition called paracetamol overuse headache where the paracetamol involved is the problem,” she warned.
Medication overuse headache is a different kind of headache that normally develops and gets worse in people who take paracetamol for more than 15 days per month for having problems like headache or migraine.
A study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), also highlights the risk of medication overuse headache, a common disorder, affecting 1 to 2 percent of the population.
But main adverse effects of this type of disorder is DIFFICULT-TO-TREAT.
“Symptoms usually worsen after withdrawal of analgesia and may take a number of weeks to get better although some do not improve and many will relapse,” reports the BMJ.
“Prescribing long-term paracetamol to patients with co-existent headache disorders needs to be considered carefully and should be avoided in the treatment of headache disorders,” the BMJ article states.
According to the National Health Intitute, it’s safe to take paracetamol with other types of painkiller that don’t contain paracetamol, such as ibuprofen, aspirin and codeine.
“Do not take paracetamol alongside other medicines that contain paracetamol,” warns the health body.
If you take two different medicines that contain paracetamol, there’s a risk of overdose, it explains.
“Before taking any other medicines, check the label to see whether they contain paracetamol.”
