Acep Tablet 500 mg

Acep Tablet is a trusted tablet formulation containing 500 mg Paracetamol, manufactured by Zenith Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Priced at ৳1.20 per unit, it offers cost-effective relief for fever, headaches, and various pain conditions. This non-opioid analgesic belongs to the therapeutic class of mild pain relievers with minimal gastrointestinal side effects compared to NSAIDs.

The tablet effectively treats influenza, dental pain, post-operative discomfort, and vaccine-related aches in children. Its mechanism inhibits COX enzymes in the CNS, reducing prostaglandin synthesis. With 20 tablets per strip (৳12.00) and 200 tablets per pack (৳240.00), Acep Tablet ensures convenient dosage management for different age groups.

Key indications include:

• Arthritic and osteoarthritis pain
• Menstrual cramps
• Musculoskeletal inflammation

Dosage varies by age: Adults take 1-2 tablets every 4-6 hours (max 8/day). Pediatric doses use adjusted syrup/suppository quantities. Avoid alcohol and enzyme-inducing drugs like rifampicin to prevent liver toxicity. Storage requires dry areas away from light, with strict child safety measures.

Reported side effects include rare skin rashes and pancreatic inflammation. During pregnancy, short-term use under medical supervision is considered safe. For overdose management, N-acetylcysteine administration within 24 hours proves critical to counteract hepatotoxicity risks.

Adults: 500 mg every 4-6 hours, max 4g/day
Children (6-12 years): 250-500 mg every 6 hours
Renal impairment: Increase dosing interval if creatinine clearance <30 ml/min
Take tablet with water after meals. Consult physician if fever persists >3 days

Side effects of Acep are usually mild, though haematological reactions including thrombocytopenia, leucopenia, pancytopenia, neutropenia, and agranulocytosis have been reported. Pancreatitis, skin rashes, and other allergic reactions occur occasionally.

Pregnancy Category B. Excreted in breast milk but safe at therapeutic doses. Max 4g/day

Monitor LFTs during prolonged use. Avoid concurrent alcohol. Don’t combine with other paracetamol products

Hepatic impairment: Max 2g/day
Geriatric: Adjust dose for age-related renal decline
Pediatric: Use weight-based dosing

Liver damage is possible in adults who have taken 10 g or more of Acep. Ingestion of 5 g or more of Acep may lead to liver damage if the patient has following risk factors: If the patient is on long term treatment with Carbamazepine, Phenobarbitone, Phenytoin, Primidone, Rifampicin, St John’s Wort or other drugs that induce liver enzymes, or regularly consumes Ethanol in excess of recommended amounts, or is likely to be Glutathione deplete e.g. eating disorders, cystic fibrosis, HIV infection, starvation, cachexia.

Symptoms: Symptoms of Acep overdose in the first 24 hours are pallor, nausea, vomiting, anorexia and abdominal pain. Liver damage may become apparent 12 to 48 hours after ingestion. Abnormalities of glucose metabolism and metabolic acidosis may occur. In severe poisoning, hepatic failure may progress to encephalopathy, haemorrhage, hypoglycaemia, cerebral oedema and death. Acute renal failure with acute tubular necrosis, strongly suggested by loin pain, haematuria and proteinuria, may develop even in the absence of severe liver damage. Cardiac arrhythmias and pancreatitis have been reported. Immediate treatment is essential in the management of Acep overdose. Treatment with activated charcoal should be considered if the overdose has been taken within 1 hour. Plasma Acep concentration should be measured at 4 hours or later after ingestion (earlier concentrations are unreliable). Treatment with N-acetylcysteine may be used up to 24 hours after ingestion of Acep. However, the maximum protective effect is obtained up to 8 hours post-ingestion. The effectiveness of the antidote declines sharply after this time. If required the patient should be given intravenous N-acetylcysteine, in line with the established dosage schedule. If vomiting is not a problem, oral Methionine may be a suitable alternative for remote areas, outside hospital. Management of patients who present with serious hepatic dysfunction beyond 24 hours from ingestion should be discussed with the NPIS or a liver unit.