Paracetamol (or the drug Doliprane which contains it) is an analgesic. It is used to relieve various pains. But, how does he “know” where we are hurting? Paracetamol acts on the central nervous system.
You’ve probably slipped paracetamol into the bottom of your bag, your desk drawer, or the medicine cabinet at home. If you have a headache, painful periods or other pain, you will probably swallow a tablet. But, do you know how it works exactly in our body?
What is paracetamol?
Paracetamol is a molecule. This medicine is used as an analgesic (to fight against pain) and as an antipyretic (against fever). It is often used to treat mild to moderate pain or fever.
Paracetamol, which is the name of the chemical compound, is often confused with the names of drugs that contain it: Doliprane, Dafalgan or Efferalgan, for example.
If taking paracetamol has almost become commonplace, its prescription has not always been associated with pain. At the end of the 19th century and throughout the 20th century, it was acclaimed for its ability to regulate temperature.
” The mode of use of paracetamol has evolved. Doctors wanted to bring down the fever first, as it was seen as the first sign of the disease. Calming the pain was not a priority “, tells us Faïza Bossy, general practitioner in Paris. The history of paracetamol shows how medicine has evolved, and now gives more importance to pain.
How long does Doliprane take effect?
Paracetamol acts in about twenty minutes after taking it. It then works for about 4 hours.
How does Doliprane know where the pain is?
We can have the impression that this chemical compound “knows” where we are in pain, that it manages to locate the pain in our body. Yet, that is not how it works. ” Paracetamol does not target peripheral pain, it acts on the central nervous system “, enlightens us Faïza Bossy.
What is the action of Doliprane?
What happens when you take paracetamol and then it enters your blood? Paracetamol plays a role in our hypothalamus, an almond-sized part of the brain. It is involved in many processes, such as thermoregulation. This structure of the central nervous system secretes an enzyme (a protein) called “COX” — for cyclooxygenase. COX secretes a hormone, prostaglandin.
” Paracetamol acts on COX, at the level of the central nervous system, and therefore on prostaglandin, in the periphery. In other words, it blocks the pain cascade “, continues Faïza Bossy.
What is the difference between Doliprane and anti-inflammatories?
Paracetamol is not anti-inflammatory, unlike ibuprofen, for example. Anti-inflammatories, them, relieve signs related to the inflammation process. They do not treat the cause directly, but relieve the symptoms », explains Faïza Bossy. If you have a sprained ankle, an anti-inflammatory (non-steroidal) will be able to treat the inflammation, but will not be enough to solve the problem.
Rules: why doesn’t paracetamol always work?
Paracetamol can sometimes be insufficient to calm the pain associated with menstruation. ” During menstruation, there are inflammatory processes. We know, for example, that the uterus secretes inflammation proteins, or prostaglandin, which will allow blood to be expelled “says Faïza Bossy. There is also the case of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), which can occur in the days before the arrival of the periods. ” It has been discovered that during PMS, the liver secretes an inflammation protein or CRP (C-reactive protein) in large quantities, which may be involved in the symptoms experienced during PMS “, continues the doctor. In any case, since paracetamol is not an anti-inflammatory, it is not the drug recommended during PMS.
What is the effect of caffeine on paracetamol?
Caffeine has the reputation of increasing the effectiveness of paracetamol. ” Caffeine potentiates or increases the action of certain analgesics, including paracetamol, confirms Faïza Bossy. At a dose of 100 mg per day, or a cup of coffee, the effect of analgesics would be increased by 5 to 10%. »
A link between Doliprane and strokes?
The link between taking paracetamol and the occurrence of cardiovascular events remains to be studied. A study published in Annal Rheumatic Disease in 2015 estimated that paracetamol was likely to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, heart attack or stroke by 20%.
” The dangerousness of paracetamol would increase with the dose absorbed regularly and has been observed in patients who took either high doses, or who took it over long periods.notes Faiza Bossy. There have never been any other studies since on the subject strictly speaking. […]. To sum up, more studies are needed on the subject. »
Is it dangerous to take paracetamol every day?
paracetamol” is not an innocuous molecule. Our liver turns it into toxic substance and it can destroy cells warns Faïza Bossy. This toxicity is reached at high doses, completes the doctor of pharmacy Raphaël Piarroux by email: “ Paracetamol is toxic in a single dose from 10g, with hepatic (liver) damage that may require a transplant. The maximum dose is 1g per intake. In continuous intake, the maximum authorized dosage is 4g per day (and should not exceed 3g without medical advice) with a space of 6 hours between two doses of 1g or 4 hours between two doses of 500mg. Like any drug, taking paracetamol in toxic doses can be fatal and the rules of proper use should be followed.
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