Maccabimol

Acetaminophen

Method of action: Analgesic, Anti-Inflammatory, Antipyretic, Pain Reliever

Treatment option: Arthralgia, Period Pain, Backache, Pain, Sore Throat, Earache, Headache, Influenza, Toothache, Fever

Medically reviewed

Laura Arias

Last updated on 22/12/2025

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Maccabimol

Property	Description
Active ingredient	Acetaminophen (Paracetamol)
Form	Oral (tablets, syrup), Rectal (suppositories), Parenteral (injection)
Pharmacological class	Analgesic (Pain Reliever) and Antipyretic (Fever Reducer)
Common use	Relief of mild to moderate pain and fever
Origin	Synthetic

What Type of Medicine is Maccabimol?

Maccabimol is a synthesized medicinal preparation whose sole active compound is Acetaminophen, known internationally as Paracetamol. It is classified as both an analgesic and an antipyretic. This compound belongs to the class of non-opioid analgesics and is widely used as a key over-the-counter (OTC) option for managing discomfort and elevated body temperature. Functionally, Acetaminophen is distinct from most NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) because it primarily acts within the central nervous system and provides minimal anti-inflammatory action in the peripheral tissues.

Is Maccabimol a Single-Ingredient, Synthetic Compound?

Yes, Maccabimol is a synthetic compound produced through chemical synthesis, confirmed to be a single-ingredient product containing only Acetaminophen. The Maccabimol brand is known for offering varied preparations, such as Maccabimol Kid Forte, positioning it as an option for children. This active ingredient is incorporated into a comprehensive range of dosage forms suitable for different routes of administration, including oral tablets, liquid syrup, and rectal suppositories. These varied forms are utilized to treat pain and fever across different age groups.

What is the General Purpose of Acetaminophen?

Pharmacological studies have clinically recognized the drug for its rapid and consistent fever-reducing action, making the general purpose of the medication to effectively reduce fever and provide relief from mild to moderate pain. A typical use scenario involves relief from the discomfort associated with a simple headache or common cold symptoms. Acetaminophen works by reducing the production of certain chemical messengers, such as prostaglandins, within the brain and spinal cord, thus dampening pain signals. Critically, it acts on the hypothalamus, the brain's thermoregulatory center, helping to reset an elevated temperature set point to normal.

Regulatory References

What side effects are possible with Maccabimol?

Official Safety Profile of Acetaminophen (Maccabimol)

The regulatory documentation for Acetaminophen (Maccabimol) outlines adverse reactions grouped by frequency and the organ systems affected. The most significant safety concern, primarily associated with an acute overdose or chronic high therapeutic doses, is hepatotoxicity, which can lead to acute liver failure. This risk is recognized as being directly linked to the total cumulative dose consumed over a 24-hour period.

Adverse reactions are formally classified by frequency, with reactions designated as Rare or Very Rare including serious outcomes affecting various systems. Very Rare events, classified as occurring in fewer than one in 10,000 patients, include severe systemic reactions such as anaphylactic shock and Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions (SCARs), including Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS).

Other adverse effects documented in regulatory sources fall under system-organ classes such as Blood and lymphatic system disorders, reporting rare events like thrombocytopenia and agranulocytosis, and Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders, which document rash and urticaria. Mild symptoms like nausea and vomiting are sometimes reported as common adverse reactions.

Official safety information specifies that individuals with severe active hepatic disease and chronic alcohol users have an enhanced susceptibility to serious adverse effects, including liver damage. The use of the product is restricted in patients with prior hypersensitivity to the active substance or in those with severe active hepatic disease. This safety framework emphasizes that the most critical risks are tied to excessive exposure and specific patient characteristics, as defined in regulatory documentation.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose and When to Seek Help

The risk of overdose with Maccabimol is serious, potentially leading to fatal or non-fatal outcomes. An overdose is typically characterized by pronounced Central Nervous System (CNS) and respiratory depression. Manifestations may include lethargy, depressed level of consciousness, miosis (pinpoint pupils), shallow breathing, and in severe cases, seizures or toxic leukoencephalopathy.

Factors and Circumstances

The risk of a serious adverse event, including overdose, increases when higher doses are used, a risk that persists throughout the duration of therapy. A significant contributor to overdose risk is the concomitant use of other CNS depressants, such as benzodiazepines or certain nerve pain medications. This combination markedly enhances the depressive effects on breathing and consciousness.

Emergency Action

Urgent medical attention is required immediately for any suspected overdose. The presence of symptoms such as unusual drowsiness or markedly slowed, shallow breathing indicates a medical emergency. In a healthcare setting, treatment involves the implementation of specific measures to support vital functions and may include the administration of a drug-specific reversal agent to counteract the effects of the overdose. Patients are not advised to abruptly discontinue the medication, as this carries separate risks that require medical guidance.

Therapeutic Uses of Maccabimol

What Maccabimol Treats: Main Uses and Benefits

Maccabimol is relevant for easing symptoms related to physical discomfort and is applied across domains where additional symptomatic support is appropriate. This is commonly used in clinical settings that involve acute or unstable symptom patterns.

Maccabimol is commonly used to help with managing symptoms that create noticeable physiological strain, such as minor muscle aches, temporary headache discomfort, mild digestive upset, and localized irritation. It is often applied during phases when symptoms become more noticeable, offering supportive relief when symptoms cluster into patterns requiring assistance.

“It provides support that helps ease the overall symptom burden and assists with maintaining functional stability.”

Quick Fact: Symptomatic Support Maccabimol is commonly used across conditions presenting with acute episodes characterized by periods of heightened symptoms, relevant when short-term symptomatic assistance is appropriate.

This supportive medication is relevant for easing challenging symptoms associated with episodic conditions, including those involving inflammatory or irritative states and functional stress in the digestive tract. It contributes to improved comfort during symptomatic periods and may help patients cope more steadily with symptom fluctuations.

Regulatory References

European Medicines Agency monograph on Matricaria Flower

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Official Eligibility Profile: Who Can and Cannot Use Maccabimol

The eligibility profile for Maccabimol (Acetaminophen/Paracetamol) is defined by mandatory restrictions and conditional use as documented in government regulatory sources. Use is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to Acetaminophen or any excipients.

Contraindications and Restrictions

Classification	Population/Condition
Absolute Contraindication	Severe hepatic impairment (severe liver disease) is a primary contraindication.
Absolute Contraindication	Known hypersensitivity to the active substance.
Restricted Use	Patients with severe renal impairment require caution, often necessitating extended dosing intervals.
Restricted Use	Patients with chronic alcoholism or mild to moderate hepatic impairment require caution due to increased hepatotoxicity risk.

Age and Lifecycle Eligibility

Adults and adolescents are generally eligible for use. Infants under 2 months of age are typically not recommended for routine use. For pregnancy, use is permitted if clinically needed, but must be at the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration. Use at therapeutic doses is generally permitted during lactation.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Maccabimol, like other medications in its class, has a few important interactions that may affect its safety and effectiveness. Always inform your healthcare provider and pharmacist about all prescription, over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, and herbal supplements you are currently taking.

Potential Drug-Drug Interactions

Anticoagulants (e.g., Warfarin): Maccabimol can potentiate the effects of warfarin, potentially increasing the risk of bleeding. Close monitoring of International Normalized Ratio (INR) is generally required when these medicines are used together.
Enzyme Inducers: Medications that induce liver enzymes (e.g., certain antiepileptics like phenytoin or carbamazepine, and the anti-tuberculosis drug isoniazid) may accelerate the metabolism of Maccabimol. This can lead to decreased effectiveness or, in cases of overdose, potentially increase the formation of a toxic metabolite, raising the risk of liver damage.
Other CNS Depressants: Combining Maccabimol with other central nervous system (CNS) depressants, such as opioids, benzodiazepines (for anxiety/sleep), alcohol, or some antihistamines, can lead to additive sedative effects. This significantly increases the risk of severe drowsiness, dizziness, respiratory depression, and impaired coordination. Avoid concomitant use with alcohol.

Other Important Interactions

Alcohol: Chronic, heavy alcohol use greatly increases the risk of severe hepatotoxicity (liver damage) when taking Maccabimol, even at recommended doses. Patients should minimize or avoid alcohol consumption during treatment.
Liver Disease: Maccabimol metabolism is heavily dependent on the liver. Patients with pre-existing severe hepatic impairment or active liver disease are at a higher risk of toxicity and should use Maccabimol with extreme caution or avoid it entirely.

Mechanism of Action

Central Modulation of the Thermoregulatory Pathway

Maccabimol's action is rooted in its selective inhibition of Cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes within the hypothalamus, the brain’s thermal control center. By suppressing the synthesis of the fever-mediating molecule Prostaglandin E2 ( PGE2), the drug results in the resetting of the body’s elevated temperature set point. This central adjustment triggers systemic physiological responses such as vasodilation and sweating**, which collectively constitutes a reduction in the set point.

Multifactorial Dampening of Nociceptive Signals

The mechanism that produces analgesia involves several parallel pathways, primarily mediated in the spinal cord by the active metabolite AM404. This metabolite modulates CB1 cannabinoid receptors and activates TRPV1 receptors, systems integral to the regulation of nociceptive signaling. Simultaneously, the drug enhances descending serotonergic pathways, which physiologically inhibit the upward transmission of nociceptive signals. This complex activity pattern results in the attenuation of nociceptive transmission.

Mechanistic Constraint in Peripheral Tissues

Maccabimol exhibits minimal activity in peripheral tissues due to a crucial mechanistic constraint: the high local concentration of peroxides found at sites of inflammation functionally attenuates its ability to inhibit peripheral COX enzymes. Because of this inhibition, the drug does not significantly suppress the local physiological processes associated with inflammation.

Dosage and Administration Information

How to Use Maccabimol

Maccabimol (Acetaminophen or Paracetamol) is administered according to a standardized protocol focusing strictly on appropriate routes, dosing, and scheduling. The medicine is primarily used on an as-needed and short-term basis for symptomatic management.

Official Administration Routes and Dosing

The medicine is available and administered via three principal routes: Oral (tablets, solutions, suspensions), Rectal (suppositories), and Parenteral (intravenous infusion solution). The choice of route depends on the patient's condition and setting, with the intravenous route typically reserved for supervised clinical environments.

The maximum recommended total daily dose across all forms is 4000 mg (4 grams) for adults. A standard single adult dose generally ranges from 325 mg to 1000 mg.

Usage Principle	Guideline
Dosing Frequency	The single dose may be repeated every 4 to 6 hours as required, but the minimum time between doses must be 4 hours.
Administration Context	Oral forms may be taken with or without food. Liquid suspensions must be shaken well before use, and the intravenous form requires administration as an infusion over 15 minutes or longer.

Population-Specific Use

Dosage requires specific adjustment for certain groups. For pediatric patients, the dose must be calculated precisely based on weight (typically 10 to 15 mg/kg per dose), not age alone. For individuals with severe hepatic or renal impairment, clinical guidance specifies a dose reduction or an extended dosing interval (e.g., every 8 hours) to prevent excessive systemic exposure.

This structured usage protocol defines the standardized approach for correct administration.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Maccabimol was studied for an extended period across numerous clinical evaluations, with research focusing on its application in short-term symptom patterns. This overview summarizes the structure of the research that scientific bodies rely on to understand how the medicine was observed in groups of people.

Evidence for Use in Acute Mild to Moderate Pain

Research examined Maccabimol’s application in outcomes related to physical discomfort, largely relying on numerous short-term Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs). These studies typically compare the medicine against either a placebo or against active comparator agents. Study populations included the general adult population, as well as patients recovering from post-operative pain and those dealing with acute discomfort.

In these trials, data show patterns related to measured differences in outcomes related to physical discomfort when comparing the active agent to placebo. Studies reported patterns related to a difference in the use of supplemental pain medication (like opioids) in the observed groups. However, findings were mixed in studies exploring comparative evidence, and research provides insight into short-term changes, with measured differences being described during the initial hours of the observation period.

Evidence is limited for drawing conclusions about long-term use. The follow-up durations were limited, meaning that long-term effects are not fully established regarding sustained patterns of discomfort. Furthermore, the data for certain groups remain insufficient when studies explored its application in conditions characterized by fluctuating or episodic manifestations (such as chronic pain).

Evidence for Use in Elevated Body Temperature (Fever)

The research base for the reduction of elevated body temperature has been evaluated in a wide range of short-term studies, including RCTs comparing it to both placebo and other agents. Studies describe the structure of these clinical evaluations and population groups, such as children and critically ill adults, in research contexts involving fluctuating or unstable symptoms where temperature was monitored. Studies report how symptoms evolved in the observed populations, describing patterns of measured decreases in core body temperature within defined time intervals.

What is still uncertain is whether a measured temperature reduction was associated with a corresponding improvement in outcomes related to systemic or functional imbalance across all patient groups. The long-term effects are not fully established regarding the consequences of frequent antipyretic application across all studied populations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Maccabimol (FAQ)

Q: How long does it take for Maccabimol to work?

Based on regulatory information, relief is commonly experienced within 30 to 60 minutes after taking the tablet. Individual response times can vary. Taking it with a full glass of water is generally suggested. If there are concerns about the time it takes to work, it is best to consult with a healthcare professional.

Q: Can I take Maccabimol every day for chronic pain?

Daily use is generally considered acceptable when following the maximum recommended dose as indicated on the product labeling. The safety profile of Maccabimol is generally well-established when used as directed, but information on the product label does not compare it to other medications. Long-term use is best reviewed with a healthcare provider to ensure the medication remains appropriate for your specific health needs.

Q: What if I accidentally miss a dose?

If a dose is missed, the common regulatory advice is to take it as soon as it is remembered. However, if it is nearly time for the next scheduled dose, the recommendation is typically to skip the missed dose. The product label typically advises against taking two doses together due to the potential for exceeding the maximum dose, which is associated with an increased risk of liver issues. It is important to follow the instructions provided on the product label.

How should Maccabimol be stored and disposed of?

Official Storage and Disposal Requirements

Scope Item	Official Regulatory Requirement
Storage Temperature	Store at controlled room temperature, typically 20 C to 25 C (68 F to 77 F), with excursions permitted between 15 C and 30 C.
Handling/Protection	Keep the product in its original container and maintain it tightly closed. Store in a dry place and protect from excessive heat and moisture. Do not freeze the product.
Child-Safety	The medicine must be stored out of the sight and reach of children to prevent accidental ingestion.
Disposal	Dispose of unused or expired product according to local regulations. If a take-back program is unavailable, mix the medicine with an unappealing substance, such as dirt or used coffee grounds, seal it, and discard with household trash. Do not flush the medication down the toilet unless explicitly instructed by the label.