Paracetamol is an over the counter pain reliever and fever reducer and is commonly known as acetaminophen in some parts of the world. With prolonged usage or if more of the medication is taken than recommended on the packaging, unpleasant side effects may develop. Some of the more common side effects of paracetamol include gastrointestinal disturbances, reduced tolerance for pain, and kidney or liver damage. Any questions or concerns about the various potential side effects of paracetamol should be discussed with a doctor or other medical professional.
Gastrointestinal disturbances are among the more common initial side effects of paracetamol. These symptoms may range from mild abdominal discomfort to internal bleeding. If the patient begins to vomit blood, emergency medical care is required. In many cases, these symptoms go away once the medication is discontinued, as long as serious damage to the internal organs has not occurred. If these symptoms develop while taking paracetamol, a doctor should be notified for further medical evaluation.
Studies have indicated that a reduced tolerance for pain can sometimes be among the potential side effects of paracetamol. This often prompts the patient to take more than the recommended dosage of this medication, thereby increasing the risks of developing serious complications. Instead of misusing this product, the patient should discuss other pain relief options with a medical professional. Prescription strength pain medications may be more beneficial and not have as many negative side effects.
Serious liver and kidney damage may occur with long-term use of this type of drug. These side effects of paracetamol may not always be reversible. If these conditions are diagnosed early and before significant organ damage has occurred, discontinuing the medication may prevent additional damage from developing. Unfortunately, the damage which has already occurred is unlikely to be able to be repaired.
Liver damage is one of the most common serious side effects of paracetamol. In the most severe cases, a liver transplant becomes necessary in order to save the life of the patient. This may involve surgical transplant of a portion of the liver from a living donor or an entire lobe of the liver from a deceased organ donor. If damage to the kidneys is significant enough to prevent them from properly filtering waste materials from the blood, dialysis or transplant may become necessary treatment options. Kidney dialysis is a medical procedure in which the blood is removed from the body, filtered through a machine which cleans the blood, and then returned to the body.