A.F. Anacin uses, dosage, side effects and interactions

What is A.F. Anacin?

A.F. Anacin is an over the counter drug used for the treatment of mild to moderate pains and pyrexia.
It contains Paracetamol also known as acetaminophen as its active ingredient. It also contains inactive ingredients called excipients in sufficient quantities.
Paracetamol is also known as acetaminophen. It comes in different dosage forms and strength.
It comes as:
  • Tablets: 100 mg, 250 mg, 325 mg, 500mg, 1000 mg etc
  • Syrup: 125 mg/5ml, 250 mg/5ml etc
  • Injections: 150 mg/ml, 300 mg/ml etc
  • Suppositories: 125 mg, 250 mg, 500 mg

Uses of A.F. Anacin  

  • For short-term treatment of mild to moderate pain including dysmenorrhoea, headache.
  • Pain relief in osteoarthritis and soft tissue lesions.
  • Pyrexia including post-immunization pyrexia.
  • Acute migraine attacks, tension headache

Paracetamol suppositories can used for children who are not able to take oral doses or those suffering from nausea and vomitting

Mild to moderate pain paracetamol is used in its management (in addition to dysmenorrhoea, and headache include:

  • Pain of Osteoarthritis
  • Toothache
  • Rheumatic pain
  • Neuralgia
  • Muscle pain
  • Backache

Dosage of A.F. Anacin 

 
The dosage of A.F. Anacin depends on the age or body weight of the user.

Adult dose

Adults usually take 2 tablets of 325mg 4 times a day or 2 tablets of  extra strength (500mg) three times a day.
  • Do not exceed recommended doses.
  • Do not use for more than 48 hours at a time except on medical advice.
  • Avoid use with other paracetamol containing products

Oral

Mild to moderate pain, pyrexia:

  • 0.5-1 g every 4-6 hours, maximum of 4 g daily.

Treatment of acute migraine attacks

  •  0.5-1 g at first sign of attack, may be repeated every 4-6 hours if necessary, maximum of 4 g daily.

Suppository

Mild to moderate pain, pyrexia, by rectum,

  • 0.5-1 g inserted every 4-6 hours if necessary, maximum of 4 doses in 24 hours

Treatment of acute migraine attack, by rectum,

  • 0.5-1 g at first sign of attack, may be repeated every 4-6 hours if necessary, maximum of 4 doses in 24 hours

Children dose

  • Do not exceed recommended doses.
  • Do not use for more than 48 hours at a time except on medical advice.
  • Avoid use with other paracetamol containing products

Oral

Post-immunization pyrexia

Infant 2-3 months,

  • 60 mg followed by a second dose, if necessary, 4-6 hours later; warn parents to seek medical advice if pyrexia persists after second dose

Mild to moderate pain, pyrexia

Child <3 months see note below,

  • 3 months-1 year: 60-125 mg, 1-5 years, 120-250 mg,
  • 6-12 years, 250-500 mg, these doses may be repeated every 4-6 hours if necessary (maximum of 4 doses in 24 hours).

Treatment of acute migraine attack

Child 6-12 years: 250-500 mg at first sign of attack, may be repeated every 4-6 hours if necessary, maximum of 4 doses in 24 hours.

Suppository:

Paracetamol 125 mg Suppositories (for 6 months to 5 years) and Paracetamol 250 mg Suppositories (for 5-12 years).

Mild to moderate pain, pyrexia, by rectum,

  • Child 1-5 years, 125-250 mg,
  • 6-12 years, 250-500 mg; doses inserted every 4-6 hours if necessary, maximum of 4 doses in 24 hours

Treatment of acute migraine attack, by rectum,

  • Child (>12 years), 0.5-1 g at first sign of attack, may be repeated every 4-6 hours if necessary, maximum of 4 doses in 24 hours;
  • Child 6-12 years, 250-500 mg at first sign of attack, may be repeated every 4-6 hours if necessary, maximum of 4 doses in 24 hours.

Note 1

Infants under 3 months should not be given paracetamol unless advised by a doctor; a dose of 10 mg/kg (5 mg/ kg if jaundiced) is suitable

Paracetamol suppositories can be used for children who are not able to take oral doses or those suffering from nausea and vomiting

Note 2
To get the dose you are to give a child, multiple the child’s body weight in kg by 10 or 15.
Then give the dose three to four times daily for not more than 5 days.
Example:
For a child weighing 20kg, you are to give him 10 x 20 = 200mg.

You can equally give him 15 x 20 = 300mg three to four times daily.

Note that dosage can be individualized and also depends on the severity of what is being treated.

Side effects of A.F. Anacin

 
1. Liver damage
Liver damage is one of the major side effects of pcm.
It usually occurs:
  • In cases of over dosage
  • when one has an already existing impaired liver
  • When it’s used with alcohol
  • When it is abused through chronic usage.

Other side effects of this drug include:

  • Rashes: this is rare
  • Blood disorders (including thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, neutropenia)

Some people can experience allergic reactions and it could be life threatening.

If it occurs, stop your medication immediately and seek emergency medical help.You may experience other side effects other than those listed above

Effects of A.F. Anacin over dosage on the body

Acute liver damage results when A.F. Anacin is over dosed.
It is important to note here that you may not notice the damage immediately.
To avert the irreparable damage to the liver, it is mandatory you seek medical help immediately ones there is occurrence of PCM over dosage.
Untreated over dosage leads to death within days.

How A.F. Anacin over dosage can be treated

1. Activated charcoal can be used.
This prevents or decreases further absorption of paracetamol into the body. It would then remain in the stomach and would then be passed out via feces.
2. Acetylcysteine is used
This is the best option as it is the antidote of paracetamol.
It goes a long way in preventing liver damage as a result of paracetamol over dosage.
As activated charcoal decreases absorption, acetylcysteine  works against the damaging effect already absorbed paracetamol would cause to the liver.

What to avoid while taking A.F. Anacin 

1. Alcohol: Avoid alcohol if you are placed on A.F. Anacin. This is to avoid getting your liver damaged. Yes, normal dose of paracetamol in the presence of alcohol can cause liver damage.

2. Other medicines containing paracetamol

For a comprehensive list of what to avoid or how best to combine them, please consult your pharmacist or doctor.

Can A.F. Anacin be used in pregnancy

It is know to be safe in pregnancy. Although, it can lead to speech delay in babies especially in girls.
Do not use in if your pregnant unless recommended by your doctor.
Can it be used by nursing mothers?
Yes. It can be used. It is safe.

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to paracetamol or any of the components.
  • Severe hepatic disease

Precautions

  • Avoid use with other paracetamol containing products.
  • Hepatic impairment; Renal impairment.
  • Alcohol dependence.
  • Overdosage – several OTC medicines containing paracetamol

How to Insert A.F. Anacin suppositories for rectal administration only.

Do not break the suppository before administration

  • For ease of insertion, the suppository can be moistened just before insertion.
  • Encourage the child to go to the toilet and empty their bowel before using the suppository.

Follow these steps to use a suppository:

  1. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
  2. Put on a disposable glove, if desired.
  3. Moisten the suppository by dipping it briefly in cool water.
  4. Lie your child on their side and raise their knee to their chest.
  5. Push the suppository gently, blunt end first, into their rectum, or back passage.
  6. Keep your child lying down for a few minutes so that the suppository dissolves
  7. Throw away used materials and wash your hands thoroughly

Nursing action during use or administration

  • Give with food or milk to reduce Gl upset if necessary.
  • Large doses, prolonged use or excessive consumption of alcohol can cause liver damage.
  • Warn patient to avoid use in high fever, fever persisting longer than 3 days, or recurrent fever without consulting a doctor
  • Teach patient symptoms of overdosage namely nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain; to report to doctor immediately.

What is Coochie snot?

Chemical Structure of paracetamol (acetaminophen)

paracetamol acetaminophen structure
paracetamol chemical structure

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