According to a recent study, persons 65 and older who use the ubiquitous over-the-counter drug paracetamol may be more susceptible to kidney, cardiac, and gastrointestinal problems. Commonly used to treat mild-to-moderate fever, paracetamol is also the first medication prescribed for osteoarthritis, a chronic condition that causes pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints as a result of wear and tear. This is because it is seen to be accessible, safe, and effective. Some research, however, has cast doubt on the efficacy of paracetamol in reducing pain, while other studies have indicated that long-term use of the drug increases the risk of gastrointestinal adverse effects such bleeding and ulcers. According to a recent study by researchers from the university of Nottingham in the United Kingdom, using paracetamol increased the risk of lower gastrointestinal bleeding by 36% and peptic ulcer bleeding (blood from an ulcer in the digestive tract) by 24%. Additionally, the medication may raise the risk of heart failure by 9%, hypertension by 7%, and chronic renal disease by 19%.The study's authors stated in the journal Arthritis Care and Research that "this study shows a significant incidence of renal, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal side effects in older people, who are prescribed paracetamol (paracetamol) repeatedly in the UK." Lead researcher Weiya Zhang of the university of Nottingham's school of Medicine stated, "Many treatment guidelines have long recommended paracetamol as the first line drug treatment for osteoarthritis due to its perceived safety, especially in older people who are at higher risk of drug-related complications."

"Whilst further research is now needed to confirm our findings, given its minimal pain-relief effect, the use of paracetamol as a first line pain killer for long-term conditions such as osteoarthritis in older people needs to be carefully considered," Zhang stated. The researchers analysed the medical data of 1.80 lakh individuals who had received more than two prescriptions for paracetamol in a six-month period. Their health results were contrasted with those of 4.02 lakh individuals of the same age who were never given repeated prescriptions for paracetamol. The participants had been enrolled with a UK general practitioner for at least a year between 1998 and 2018 and were 65 years of age or older (average age: 75). A certain batch of paracetamol and metronidazole tablets is "not of standard quality": Government

A specific batch of 400 mg Metronidazole and 500 mg Paracetamol tablets manufactured by Hindustan Antibiotic Limited and karnataka Antibiotic and Pharmaceuticals Limited, respectively, were discovered to be "not of standard quality" during testing, the government told the rajya sabha last week. In response, Union minister of State for health Anupriya patel stated that both Hindustan Antibiotic Limited and karnataka Antibiotic and Pharmaceuticals Limited had withdrawn or replaced the necessary 'Not of Standard Quality' (NSQ) stocks to the consignee with new stocks, as reported by the Department of Pharmaceuticals.