| Brand Name: |
Panadol Extra |
| Generic Name: |
Paracetamol/Caffeine |
| Form: |
Tablets |
| Manufacturer: |
GSK |
What is Panadol Extra?
Panadol Extra (Paracetamol/Caffeine) is a combination medication, containing Paracetamol and Caffeine. The medication has analgesic and antipyretic effects. Paracetamol is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, which decreases the prostaglandin levels in central nervous system by means of cyclooxygenase enzyme inhibition. Caffeine intensifies Paracetamol's pharmacological effects.
Panadol Extra (Paracetamol/Caffeine) is taken by mouth and is well absorbed in the digestive tract. The peak plasma concentration is achieved within 0.5-2 hours after administration. Panadol Extra (Paracetamol/Caffeine) is metabolized in liver and excreted primarily with urine in the form of metabolites. The elimination half-life reaches 1-4 hours.
Panadol Extra (Paracetamol/Caffeine) is used to treat patients, suffering from medium and moderate pain syndrome of different nature, including:
- Headache, migraine-like ache, and migraine
- Muscle pain, nerve pain, joint pain, and rheumatic pain
- Painful menstruations
Furthermore, Panadol Extra (Paracetamol/Caffeine) can be used as an antipyretic agent in patients, suffering from flu and acute respiratory viral infections.
How is Panadol Extra used?
Panadol Extra (Paracetamol/Caffeine) is taken by mouth. It is recommended to swallow the tablets whole, without chewing or crushing them, alongside with a full glass of water. The duration of treatment as well as the doses have to be determined by the physician for every patient on a case by case basis.
Adults and teenagers at the age of over 12 years are usually prescribed 500-1,000mg (2 tablets) taken 3-4 times per day with the minimum interval of 4 hours. The daily dose should not exceed 4,000mg (8 tablets).
Panadol Extra (Paracetamol/Caffeine) can be administered for over 3 days only when instructed by your physician.
During the treatment with Panadol Extra (Paracetamol/Caffeine), patients are recommended to avoid consuming beverages, containing Caffeine.
Adverse effects
Panadol Extra (Paracetamol/Caffeine) is usually well tolerated by patients; however in some cases the following side effects were registered:
- Digestive system: Nausea, vomiting, and epigastric pain. Additionally, the change in the liver enzyme activity and toxic liver damage may develop.
- Blood system: Thrombocytopenia, pancytopenia, anemia, including hemolytic anemia, sulfhemoglobinemia, and methemoglobinemia.
- Central nervous system: Sleep-wake schedule disorders, increased irritability, and dizziness.
- Cardio-vascular system: Arterial hypertension, and tachyarrhythmia.
- Allergic reactions: Skin rash, skin itching, hives, erythema multiforme, angioedema, Lyell's syndrome, and anaphylaxis.
- Other: Bronchial spasm, hypoglycaemia, and hypoglycemic coma.
Warnings
Panadol Extra (Paracetamol/Caffeine) counter indications:
- Hypersensitivity to the components of the drug.
- Severe kidney and/or liver function disorders, constitutional hyperbilirubinemia, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.
Panadol Extra (Paracetamol/Caffeine) cannot be prescribed to patients, suffering from alcohol addiction, hematopoietic system function disorders (severe anemia, and leucopenia), thrombophlebitis, thrombosis, atherosclerosis, and arterial hypertension.
Panadol Extra (Paracetamol/Caffeine) cannot be used to treat patients, suffering from insomnia, glaucoma, including narrow-angle glaucoma, epilepsy, hyperthyroidism, cardiac conduction defects, decompensated heart failure, ischemic heart disease (coronary artery disease), benign prostatic hyperplasia, diabetes, and acute pancreatitis.
It is not recommended to prescribe Panadol Extra (Paracetamol/Caffeine) to elderly patients and patients, prone to vasospasms.
Panadol Extra (Paracetamol/Caffeine) is counter indicated during the pregnancy and breastfeeding, as well as in children at the age under 12 years.
Caution has to be exercised when prescribing Panadol Extra (Paracetamol/Caffeine) to patients with liver and/or kidney diseases.
Administering the medication in pregnant patients is only acceptable when there are no other alternatives. If there is a need to use the medication in breast feeding patients it is recommended to address the issue of temporarily stopping the breastfeeding.
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