ADOL 160mg Tablets/Chewable

What is ADOL 160mg

ADOL 160 mg is a branded, chewable tablet formulation of paracetamol (acetaminophen), an antipyretic–analgesic belonging to the anilide class of medications. Each orange-flavoured tablet provides 160 mg of paracetamol, designed primarily for children who have outgrown liquid suspensions yet still prefer a palatable solid that does not require swallowing whole. ADOL is indicated for the temporary relief of mild-to-moderate pain and fever associated with conditions such as:

• Common viral or bacterial infections (e.g., influenza, otitis media, tonsillitis)
• Post-immunisation or postoperative discomfort
• Headache, dental pain, sore throat, musculoskeletal aches, and minor trauma

Because paracetamol exerts central rather than peripheral antipyretic and analgesic effects and lacks significant anti-inflammatory activity, it is generally well tolerated, with minimal gastrointestinal or platelet effects relative to NSAIDs. When administered in age-appropriate doses, ADOL remains a first-line option recommended by international paediatric guidelines for fever and pain. The chewable format improves adherence, offers rapid disintegration in the oral cavity, and eliminates the need for water—advantages in outpatient, school, or travel settings. Each blister pack contains 10 tablets, with two blisters per box (20 tablets), allowing caregivers to track dosing accurately and limit accidental overuse. Although available over the counter, ADOL should be used according to professional advice to prevent the principal risk associated with paracetamol: cumulative dose–dependent hepatotoxicity.

How to use ADOL 160mg

Correct administration maximises ADOL’s efficacy and safety. Follow these practical steps and precautions:

• Verify weight & age: ADOL 160 mg chewables are typically suitable for children 5–12 years (approximately 17–40 kg). Confirm that the 160 mg strength aligns with the prescriber’s milligram-per-kilogram recommendation (usually 10–15 mg/kg per dose).
• Chew or disperse: Instruct the child to chew the tablet thoroughly. If chewing is difficult, the tablet may be crushed and dispersed in a small spoon of semi-solid food (e.g., yoghurt) just before administration.
• Dosing interval: Repeat every 4–6 h only if needed for persistent pain or fever. Do not exceed four doses (maximum 60 mg/kg or 2 g in children, 4 g in adults) in 24 h.
• Concurrent products: Check all OTC cold or flu remedies: many already contain paracetamol. Accidental duplication is the leading cause of overdose.
• When to seek help: If fever persists > 48 h, pain lasts > 5 days, or any rash, vomiting, or behavioural change occurs, consult a physician promptly.
• Swallowing difficulty or vomiting: If a dose is expelled within 30 min, it may be repeated once. Otherwise, wait until the next scheduled dose.
• Missed dose: Administer as soon as remembered if needed, but maintain a 4-h interval from the previous dose; never double up.

Always keep the medication in its child-resistant packaging, record the time of each administration, and educate all caregivers (school nurses, babysitters) on the dosing schedule to avoid duplication.

Mode of Action ADOL 160mg

Paracetamol’s precise mechanism remains partially elucidated, yet multiple complementary pathways explain its combined antipyretic and analgesic actions:

• Cyclo-oxygenase (COX) inhibition: Paracetamol selectively inhibits the peroxidase function of COX-2 within the CNS, suppressing prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) synthesis in the hypothalamus and dorsal horn. Unlike NSAIDs, peripheral COX inhibition is minimal, sparing gastric mucosa and platelets.
• Serotonergic modulation: It enhances descending serotonergic inhibitory pathways, dampening spinal nociceptive transmission and amplifying endogenous pain control.
• Endocannabinoid enhancement: Hepatic metabolism yields AM404 (N-arachidonoyl-phenolamine), which inhibits anandamide reuptake, indirectly stimulating CB₁ receptors for additional analgesic synergy.
• TRPA1 receptor activation: AM404 also activates transient receptor potential ankyrin-1 channels, contributing to antinociception via central desensitisation.
• Heat dissipation: By lowering hypothalamic set-point PGE₂, paracetamol triggers vasodilation and sweating, facilitating heat loss without altering basal body temperature in afebrile individuals.

These multimodal effects yield reliable fever reduction within 30–60 min and pain relief sustained for 4–6 h. Because paracetamol lacks peripheral prostaglandin blockade, it preserves renal blood flow and clotting function, making it the analgesic-antipyretic of choice in patients with gastritis, bleeding risk, or varicella where NSAIDs are contraindicated.

ADOL 160mg Interactions ADOL 160mg

Although paracetamol has a favourable profile, clinically significant interactions can occur, especially with prolonged or high-dose use:

• Enzyme inducers (e.g., rifampicin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, St. John’s wort): Accelerate conversion to hepatotoxic N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI), lowering the overdose threshold.
• Alcohol (chronic ethanol use): Upregulates CYP2E1, boosting NAPQI formation. Even therapeutic paracetamol doses can precipitate hepatic injury in chronic drinkers.
• Warfarin and other coumarins: Regular paracetamol (≥ 2 g/day for > 3 days) may potentiate anticoagulation, raising INR and bleeding risk. Monitor INR or limit cumulative intake.
• Probenecid: Reduces glucuronidation, enhancing paracetamol plasma levels. Consider dose reduction or increased dosing interval.
• Cholestyramine: Binds paracetamol in the gut if administered within 1 h, diminishing efficacy. Separate doses by ≥ 2 h.
• Combination cold remedies, opioids, or sleep aids containing paracetamol: Risk of accidental supratherapeutic dosing—always audit total daily intake.

Conversely, paracetamol does not interfere with platelet aggregation, lithium, methotrexate, or most hypertension agents, making it the analgesic of choice in polypharmacy. Nonetheless, clinicians should review concurrent medications in hepatic impairment or malnutrition, where glutathione stores are low and toxicity risk is heightened.

Dosage of ADOL 160mg

Dosing should always align with body weight and clinical context:

• Children 5–12 years (≈ 17–40 kg):
  • Standard dose: 10–15 mg/kg (≈ 1–2 tablets) every 4–6 h.
  • Maximum daily dose: 60 mg/kg or 2 g total (≤ 12 tablets) in 24 h.
• Adolescents & adults ≥ 50 kg:
  • Comparable chewable strength is low; larger strengths (500 mg) are preferred. However, if used, 2–4 tablets (320–640 mg) per dose may be given up to 4 times daily (< 4 g/day total).
• Renal impairment (CrCl < 30 mL/min): Maintain standard single dose but extend interval to 6–8 h.
• Hepatic impairment or chronic alcoholism: Reduce maximum daily dose to 2 g and space doses ≥ 6 h apart; monitor LFTs if therapy exceeds 48 h.
• Neonates & infants: ADOL 160 mg is unsuitable; use weight-appropriate liquid formulations.

Caregivers should record each dose’s time, avoid double-dosing after vomiting unless < 30 min has elapsed, and use oral syringes or scale-calculated charts when mixing strengths to prevent arithmetic errors. Overdose (single intake > 150 mg/kg) warrants immediate medical evaluation even if asymptomatic; N-acetylcysteine is maximally protective when given within 8 h.

Possible side effects of ADOL 160mg

Paracetamol is generally well tolerated; serious adverse events are rare at therapeutic doses. Nonetheless, vigilance is essential:

• Common (< 1 %)
  • Gastrointestinal: mild nausea, upper abdominal discomfort, dyspepsia
  • Dermatologic: transient rash, pruritus
• Uncommon (< 0.1 %)
  • Allergic reactions: urticaria, angio-oedema
  • Hepatic transaminase rise after several days of high cumulative dosing
• Rare (< 0.01 %) but serious
  • Stevens–Johnson syndrome (SJS) / toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN)
  • Anaphylaxis: bronchospasm, hypotension—requires emergency care
  • Thrombocytopenia or pancytopenia (usually idiosyncratic)
  • Acute liver failure—typically from overdose or chronic excess; presents with right-upper-quadrant pain, jaundice, coagulopathy

Early symptoms of hepatotoxicity (nausea, diaphoresis, lethargy) may be nonspecific and improve before hepatic injury becomes apparent 24–72 h post-overdose. Educate caregivers on the importance of total daily dose limits and prompt medical review for persistent abdominal pain, dark urine, or scleral icterus. In documented paracetamol allergy, choose alternative agents (ibuprofen, if not contraindicated). Routine short-term use does not require baseline laboratory tests, but prolonged therapy in malnourished or chronically ill children may merit periodic LFT monitoring.

ADOL 160mg Contraindications ADOL 160mg

Absolute and relative contraindications ensure safe selection:

• Absolute
  • Known hypersensitivity to paracetamol, colouring agents, or excipients (e.g., aspartame if present in sugar-free chewables)
  • Severe hepatic impairment or active liver disease (e.g., acute viral hepatitis, Child-Pugh C cirrhosis)
• Relative
  • Chronic alcoholism or regular intake of CYP2E1-inducing substances
  • Glutathione deficiency states: malnutrition, HIV, cystic fibrosis
  • Severe renal impairment (CrCl < 30 mL/min)—dose adjustment obligatory
  • G6PD deficiency: theoretical risk of haemolysis at very high doses; monitor closely
  • Phenylketonuria (PKU) if tablets contain aspartame—monitor phenylalanine load

Paracetamol crosses the placenta and is excreted in breast milk in minimal amounts; however, the chewable 160 mg strength is not typically used in pregnancy or lactation. Therapeutic doses are generally regarded as safe when clinically indicated, but prolonged or high-dose use should be supervised by a physician.

Storage of ADOL 160mg

• Temperature: Store below 25 °C (77 °F); brief excursions up to 30 °C are acceptable. Avoid refrigeration or freezing, which can compromise tablet integrity and palatability.
• Humidity: Keep tablets in the original aluminium-PVC blister until use to protect from moisture; chewables are hygroscopic and become soft or discoloured when exposed.
• Light: Paracetamol is light stable, but blistering shields excipients from UV-induced oxidation.
• Child safety: Place the carton in a secure, elevated location out of sight and reach of children; teach older children not to self-administer.
• Expiry monitoring: Check the “EXP” date on each blister. Do not use tablets that appear crumbled, sticky, or mottled.
• Disposal: Return expired or unused medication to a pharmacy take-back program. Do not flush or discard in household trash where pets may access it.
• Travel tips: Keep in carry-on luggage; avoid leaving medication in parked cars where temperatures can exceed 60 °C.

Proper storage preserves potency and taste, ensuring each dose delivers the labelled 160 mg for predictable fever and pain relief. Should tablets show any sign of deterioration, replace the pack, as inaccurate dosing can compromise efficacy and safety.