Paracetamol is an effective analgesic, especially when administered i.v., useful in a broad range of clinical conditions.
Its mechanism of action is yet to be fully determined, and is likely to involve a number of pain pathways.
Whilst its clinical significance may be equivocal, paracetamol may exert effects on virtually every organ system, warranting further research.
Toxicity may occur even within the recommended dose range in certain patient groups because of altered metabolism.
There have been a number of reports of paracetamol toxicity in children after the introduction of the i.v. formulation, prompting a recent update of the dosing guidelines by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.