Pain Killer

Panadol and uphamol can be really useful in my family's daily life, not sure about you.
When I'm young, I used to see my mom taking panadol almost everyday.
Well like all kids, I asked my mom what is she eating and why she eat it.
She answered me, "Its panadol, I take 'em everyday because you children so naughty, makes me headache everyday."
Ermm.. Mostly its true, we kids can be such a pain in the neck.

Well I dint know about these pills much till I'm form 4 or form 5, when chemistry comes into my life officially.
As we all science students know, these pills are a kind of paracetamol.
We also learned about aspirin.
Both aspirin and paracetamol are part of the class of drugs known as analgesic.
Analgesics are a class of drugs used to relieve pain.
The pain relief induced by analgesics occurs either by blocking pain signals going to the brain ot by interfering with the brain's interpretation of the signals, without producing anesthesia or loss of conciousness.

So, what is aspirin?
Aspirin is categorized under a group of drugs called salicylates.
It helps to reduce substances that cause pain, fever and inflammation.
Aspirin is usually used to treat mild to moderate pain, and also to reduce fever and inflammation.
Something new to me is that aspirin is sometimes used to treat or prevent heart attacks, strokes and angina.
But aspirin should be used for cardiovascular conditions under the supervision of a doctor.
Most of the time, aspirin is considered as a pain-relieve.

There are also side effects of taking aspirin,
one of the common side effect is gastrointestinal bleeding.
Daily aspirin use increasees your risk of developing a stomach ulcer.
And, if you have a bleeding ulcer, taking aspirin will cause it to bleed more, perhaps to a life-threatening extent.
Allergic reaction are one of the side effects too.
If you're allergic to aspirin, taking any amount of aspirin can trigger a serious allergic reaction.

What about paracetamol?
Paracetamol is a common analgesic and antipyretic drug that is used for the relief of fever, headaches, and other minor aches and pains.
It is also a major ingredient in numerous cold and flu medications and many prescription analgesics.
Paracetamol has been in use for home medication for over 30 years and is accepted as a very effective treatment for the relief of pain and fever in adults and children.
Paracetamol is also known as acetaminophen.

Paracetamol rarely causes side effects as long as it is taken as directed.
However, prolonged or habitual use of paracetamol may lead to liver damage or failure.
Rare side effects of paracetamol includes hives, rash, short breath.

It is best that paracetamol taken with food or milk.

References:

1. Eustice, C. & R., 2008. The Facts of Analgesics (Painkillers). <http://arthritis.about.com/od/analgesic/a/factsanalgesics.htm>
2. Mayo Clinic staff, 2008. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER) <http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/daily-aspirin-therapy/HB00073>
   
3. "Paracetamol" <http://www.themedicine.net/drugs/paracetamol.html>
4. <http://www.pharmweb.net/pwmirror/pwy/paracetamol/pharmwebpic.html>
   

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