Agrifen is an antipyretic analgesic. It has analgesic, antipyretic and weak anti-inflammatory action. The mechanism of action is associated with the inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis, the predominant influence on the thermoregulatory center in the hypothalamus increases heat transfer.
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Why is Agrifen (Acetaminophen) prescribed?
Weak pain and moderate intensity of different genesis (including headache, migraine, toothache, neuralgia, myalgia, algomenorrhea, pain in trauma, burns). Fever in infectious and inflammatory diseases.
Agrifen dosage and administration
Orally or rectally, adults and adolescents with a body weight greater than 60 kg are used in a single dose of 500 mg, the multiplicity of admission, up to 4 times / Maximum duration of treatment, 5-7 days. Maximum dose: only – 1 g, daily – 4 g.
Single dose for oral administration for children 6-12 years – 250-500 mg, 1-5 years – 120-250 mg, from 3 months to 1 year – 60-120 mg, up to 3 months – 10 mg / kg. Single rectal dose in children 6-12 years – 250-500 mg, 1-5 years – 125-250 mg. Multiplicity – 4 at intervals of not less than 4 h. The maximum duration of treatment – 3 days. Maximum dose: 4 single doses per day.
Agrifen side effects, adverse reactions
Digestive system: rarely – dyspepsia; long-term use in high doses: hepatotoxic effects, methemoglobinemia, kidney and liver dysfunction, hypochromic anemia. Hemopoietic system: rarely – thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, pancytopenia, neutropenia, agranulocytosis. Allergic reactions: rarely – skin rash, itching, hives.
Contraindications
Chronic active alcoholism, increased sensitivity to Agrifen, marked alterations in liver function and / or kidney disease, anemia, pregnancy (1st term).
Use during pregnancy and lactation
Agrifen (Acetaminophen) crosses the placental barrier. So far, no adverse effects of Agrifen (Acetaminophen) have been observed on the fetus in humans. It is excreted in breast milk: the content in the milk was 0.04-0.23% of the dose adopted by the mother.
If necessary, the use of Agrifen (Acetaminophen) during pregnancy and lactation (breastfeeding) should carefully weigh the potential benefits of the therapy to the mother and the potential risk to the fetus or child. In experimental studies, no embryotoxic, teratogenic and mutagenic action of Agrifen (acetaminophen) was found.
Special instructions
Agrifen is used with caution in patients with liver and kidney disorders, benign hyperbilirubinaemia, as well as in elderly patients. With long-term use of Agrifen (paracetamol) it is necessary to monitor the peripheral blood patterns and the functional state of the liver. It is used to treat PMS in combination with pamabrom (diuretic, a derivative of xanthine) and mepyramine (Histamine H1 receptor blocker).
Interactions with other medications
- With simultaneous use with inducers of microsomal liver enzymes, it means that it has a hepatotoxic effect, which increases the risk of hepatotoxic action of Agrifen (paracetamol).
- With the simultaneous use of anticoagulants there may be a mild to moderate increase in prothrombin time.
- With the simultaneous use of anticholinergics, the absorption of Agrifen (paracetamol) can be decreased.
- With the simultaneous use of oral contraceptives, the excretion of Agrifen (acetaminophen) from the body is accelerated and may reduce its analgesic action.
- With the simultaneous use with urological means its effectiveness is reduced.
- With the simultaneous use of activated charcoal, the bioavailability of Agrifen (paracetamol) is reduced.
- When Agrifen (Acetaminophen) applied simultaneously with diazepam it can decrease the excretion of diazepam.
- There have been reports of the possibility of enhancing the myelosuppressive effect of zidovudine while applied with Agrifen (acetaminophen). A case of severe toxic liver injury.
- Cases of toxic effects of Agrifen (paracetamol) were described, while the use of isoniazid.
- When applied simultaneously with carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, primidonom decreases the effectiveness of Agrifen (paracetamol), which is caused by an increase in its metabolism and excretion from the body. Hepatotoxicity cases while using Agrifen (Acetaminophen) and phenobarbital.
- Applying cholestyramine for a period of less than 1 hour after the administration of Agrifen (paracetamol) may decrease its absorption.
- In the simultaneous application with lamotrigine, the excretion of lamotrigine from the body was moderately increased.
- With the simultaneous use of metoclopramide, the absorption of Agrifen (acetaminophen) and its higher concentration in the blood plasma can be increased.
- When applied simultaneously with probenecid it can decrease the clearance of Agrifen (paracetamol), with rifampicin, sulfinpyrazone, it can increase the clearance of Agrifen (paracetamol) due to its increased metabolism in the liver.
- In the simultaneous application of Agrifen (paracetamol) with ethinylestradiol increases the absorption of Agrifen (acetaminophen) from the intestine.
- Improves the effect of indirect anticoagulants (coumarin and indandione derivatives). The antipyretic and analgesic activity of caffeine increases, reduces: rifampicin, phenobarbital and alcohol (accelerated biotransformation, which induces microsomal liver enzymes).
Agrifen overdose / emergency case
At a reception in toxic doses (10-15 g in adults) liver necrosis may develop. Symptoms of an overdose may include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, sweating, extreme tiredness, unusual bleeding or bruising, pain in the upper right part of the stomach, yellowing of the skin or eyes, flu-like symptoms.
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Dr. Samantha Robson ( CRN: 0510146-5) is a nutritionist and website content reviewer related to her area of expertise. With a postgraduate degree in Nutrition from The University of Arizona, she is a specialist in Sports Nutrition from Oxford University and is also a member of the International Society of Sports Nutrition.