Could paracetamol act as a sleeping pill in elderly people?

pammie · Newbie Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 4

Hello! My grandmother is seventy years old and she has problems with her sleep. I wanted to take her to see her doctor and prescribe some medicine but she refused. Yesterday she said she would take paracetamol since she heard from her friend that it could replace the sleeping pill. This morning she has told us that she slept well. Is it possible? Could paracetamol act as a sleeping pill in elderly people?

cindie · Newbie Joined: 07 Nov 2006 Posts: 6

Hello! Paracetamol is very useful in the treatment of fever and minor aches and pains. As any other painkiller it can make you sleepy. For example, that is the reason why patients who take antidepressants regularly have to talk to their doctor before they use any of painkillers. Paracetamol, in the combination with any antidepressants, can increase the sleeping effect at patients who takes them. But, paracetamol can be effective for arthritic pains and if your grandmother has such problems maybe that is the reason why she slept well after taking paracetamol. Paracetamol can't be used as a sleeping pill but it can make you sleepy.

Could paracetamol act as a sleeping pill in elderly people?

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