Paracetamol
Also sold as: Panadol, Calpol
No prescription neededPainkillers
Comes as:TabletSyrupSuppositoryDrip (infusion)
Usual adult dose
Usual adult dose: 500 mg to 1 g every 4 to 6 hours when needed. Do not take more than 4 g in 24 hours. Children: dose by weight — ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Your doctor may give you a different dose. Children's doses depend on weight.
Side effects
Common
- rare at normal doses
- mild nausea
Serious — get help
Stop taking it and see a doctor straight away if you notice:
- liver damage after overdose
- severe skin rash
- severe allergic reaction
Do not take it, or take care, if
- Severe liver disease
- Regular heavy alcohol use (use with caution)
- Do not combine with other medicines that also contain paracetamol
Interactions
Medicines that can react with this one.
Moderate1 medicineTake together only with care. Ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- Warfarin
Regular high doses of paracetamol can raise the effect of warfarin; INR should be checked.