PARACETAMOL
Pain
Strength500 mg
Formoral.solid
1 g (two 500 mg tablets) 3 or 4 times daily, to a maximum of 4 g in 24 hours. - A few days for the soreness; a headache that goes on or worsens needs reassessment rather than a longer course.
15 mg/kg/dose [child max 500 mg]
(Child 1 month and over: 15 mg/kg 3 or 4 times daily, to a maximum of 60 mg/kg in 24 hours. Child under 1 month: 10 mg/kg 3 or 4 times daily, to a maximum of 40 mg/kg in 24 hours. A single dose is capped at 500 mg because the top band of MSF's own weight table, 30 to under 50 kg, is one 500 mg tablet three times daily.)
| 3kg | 45 mg/dose |
|---|---|
| 4kg | 60 mg/dose |
| 5kg | 75 mg/dose |
| 6kg | 90 mg/dose |
| 7kg | 105 mg/dose |
| 8kg | 120 mg/dose |
| 9kg | 135 mg/dose |
| 10kg | 150 mg/dose |
| 11kg | 165 mg/dose |
| 12kg | 180 mg/dose |
| 13kg | 195 mg/dose |
| 14kg | 210 mg/dose |
| 15kg | 225 mg/dose |
| 16kg | 240 mg/dose |
| 17kg | 255 mg/dose |
| 18kg | 270 mg/dose |
| 19kg | 285 mg/dose |
| 20kg | 300 mg/dose |
| 21kg | 315 mg/dose |
| 22kg | 330 mg/dose |
| 23kg | 345 mg/dose |
| 24kg | 360 mg/dose |
| 25kg | 375 mg/dose |
| 26kg | 390 mg/dose |
| 27kg | 405 mg/dose |
| 28kg | 420 mg/dose |
| 29kg | 435 mg/dose |
| 30kg | 450 mg/dose |
| 31kg | 465 mg/dose |
| 32kg | 480 mg/dose |
| 33kg | 495 mg/dose |
| 34kg | 500 mg/dose (capped) |
| 35kg | 500 mg/dose (capped) |
| 36kg | 500 mg/dose (capped) |
| 37kg | 500 mg/dose (capped) |
| 38kg | 500 mg/dose (capped) |
| 39kg | 500 mg/dose (capped) |
| 40kg | 500 mg/dose (capped) |
| 41kg | 500 mg/dose (capped) |
| 42kg | 500 mg/dose (capped) |
| 43kg | 500 mg/dose (capped) |
| 44kg | 500 mg/dose (capped) |
| 45kg | 500 mg/dose (capped) |
| 46kg | 500 mg/dose (capped) |
| 47kg | 500 mg/dose (capped) |
| 48kg | 500 mg/dose (capped) |
| 49kg | 500 mg/dose (capped) |
| 50kg | 500 mg/dose (capped) |
MSF Essential Drugs 2024 - paracetamol (oral)
A scalp bruise from minor head trauma leaves a sore head, and the cited concussion article allows over-the-counter analgesics to control headache symptoms while saying in the same sentence that the evidence for their efficacy is limited. It names no drug and no amount, so the amount is MSF's, whose paracetamol entry covers mild to moderate pain.
- The article is explicit that the evidence for an over-the-counter analgesic after a head injury is limited. It eases the headache and does nothing for the injury.
- Give nothing that alters wakefulness, mood or thinking. The article warns that medicines affecting cognitive function, sleep or mood are not advisable because they mask the symptoms a concussion is judged on, and that a preventive headache medicine should not be started after a concussion - though one the patient was already taking before the injury may be resumed.
- A worsening headache, vomiting, loss of consciousness, a fit, unequal pupils or any focal neurological sign means imaging and admission, not a stronger painkiller.
- Never exceed 4 g in 24 hours in an adult, or 60 mg/kg in 24 hours in a child. MSF warns that paracetamol poisoning is severe - it causes hepatic cytolysis - and that the stated limits matter most in children and in older patients.
- MSF records no contra-indication in pregnancy or in breast-feeding, and names paracetamol as the analgesic of choice for a patient allergic to aspirin, one with a history of gastric trouble, a pregnant or breast-feeding woman, and children.
- Paracetamol has no anti-inflammatory action, so it eases the pain and does nothing for the swelling.
| Egyptian brand | Manufacturer | Indicative price |
|---|---|---|
| FEBRIMOL 500 MG 20 TAB. | PHARCO | 3.50 EGP (0.17/unit) |
| CETAMOL 500 MG 20 TABS. | MEMPHIS | 8.00 EGP (0.40/unit) |
| PARACETAMOL-MUP 500MG B.P. 20 TABS. | MUP | 13.00 EGP (0.65/unit) |
| CETAL 500 MG 20 TABS. | EIPICO | 24.00 EGP (1.20/unit) |
| ARKADOLOW 500 MG 30 F.C. TABS. | UTOPIA | 42.00 EGP (1.40/unit) |
| PARAMOL 500MG 20 TAB. | MISR | 38.00 EGP (1.90/unit) |
| ADOL 500MG 24 CAPLETS | JULPHAR | 32.00 EGP |
| AUGICETAMIDE 500 MG 20 SACHETS | AUG PHARMA | 50.00 EGP |
| FEBRIMOL ORAL DROPS 20 ML? strength differs? different route - not oral solid | PHARCO | 4.00 EGP |
| THERA-LO 3.2G/100ML ORAL SUSP. 100 ML? strength differs? different route - not oral solid | PHAROPHARMA | 5.00 EGP |