PARACETAMOL (DRUG FOR HEADACHE)


Figure 1: Structure of  paracetamol
 Paracetamol (acetaminophen) an analgesic and antipyretic agent (styrt et al, 1990) is a useful drug in the treatment of mild to moderate pain such as headache, myalgia, postpartum pain and other circumstances.

PARACETAMOL METABOLISM
Paracetamol is metabolized primarily in the liver, where its major metabolites inactive sulfate and glucuronide conjugates, which are excreted by the kidneys (styrt et al, 1990). Only a small yet significant amount is metabolized via the hepatic cytochrome p450 enzyme system, which is responsible for the toxic effects of
paracetamol due to a minor alkylating metabolite (N-acetyl –p- benzo- quinone imine, abbreviated as NAPQI).

Figure 2 Reactions involved in paracetamol metabolism (Katzung B, 1999).

The metabolism of paracetamol is an excellent example of toxication, because the metabolite NAPQI is primarily responsible for toxicity rather than paracetamol itself (styrt et al, 1990).
At usual doses, the toxic metabolite NAPQI is quickly detoxified by combining irreversibly with the sulfhydryl groups of glutathione or administration of a sulfhydryl compound such as N- acetylcysteine, to produce a non-toxic conjugate that is eventually excreted by the kidneys (katzung B, 1990).

PARACETAMOL AS AN AGENT OF OXIDATIVE STRESS
The Liver is the center of drug metabolism, in the case of an overdose, the liver is overwhelmed by the drug and this can lead to oxidative stress. Thus oxidative stress is any condition that consistently interferes with normal body function (Katzung B, 1998)
Paracetamol is contained in many preparations (both over- the – counter and prescription only medications). In some animals for example cats – small doses are toxicity. Without timely treatment, overdose can lead liver failure and death within days; paracetamol toxicity is by far, the most common cause of acute liver failure in both the United States and the United Kingdom (styrt et al, 1990).
It is sometimes used in suicide attempts by those unaware of the prolonged time course and high morbidity associated with paracetamol – induced toxicity in survivors.  Thus in this research works, paracetamol will be overdose will be administrated to rats and analysis done to measure the extent of per oxidation
Share on Google Plus

Declaimer - Unknown

The publications and/or documents on this website are provided for general information purposes only. Your use of any of these sample documents is subjected to your own decision NB: Join our Social Media Network on Google Plus | Facebook | Twitter | Linkedin

READ RECENT UPDATES HERE