Paracetamol

When can I take paracetamol?

You can take paracetamol for:

• mild to moderate pain, for example backache, headache, migraine, muscle strains, period pain, toothache and aches and pains due to colds and flu
• fever (high temperature)
• osteoarthritis and other painful, non-inflammatory conditions.

The dose of paracetamol for adults is:

• one or two 500mg tablets every four to six hours
• up to a maximum of 8 tablets in 24 hours.

Alternatively:one or two 665mg tablets every eight hours

• up to a maximum of six tablets in 24 hours.

It’s dangerous to take more than eight 500mg tablets in 24 hours as you may damage your liver, which may be irreversible and fatal.

Can paracetamol be given to children?

Paracetamol may be given to children from one month of age for pain and fever. Follow the dose instructions with the pack and seek medical advice if symptoms are severe or get worse.

The routine use of paracetamol before, or at the time of, immunisation is no longer recommended due to the use of better vaccines with fewer side effects. Discuss the use of paracetamol with your doctor or pharmacist if you are concerned about immunisation side effects like pain and fever.

If your child has a temperature higher than 38.5°C and this is making them uncomfortable, paracetamol can be given to help ease any discomfort. Seek medical advice if the fever does not get better.

A doctor may advise regular paracetamol for infants younger than one month old, but don’t give regular paracetamol to an infant as young as this unless advised to by a doctor.

How does paracetamol work?

Paracetamol has been in common use for over 50 years but the way it works to reduce pain and fever is not fully known. Paracetamol begins to ease pain and lower a high temperature about 30 minutes after a dose is taken. It usually lasts for about four to six hours.

When should I not take paracetamol?

Don’t take paracetamol if you:

• have an allergy to paracetamol
• are taking other paracetamol containing medicines, such as codeine combinations, migraine preparations and some cough and cold remedies, because of the risk of overdosing with paracetamol
• have already taken eight 500mg tablets within a 24 hour period.

Check with your doctor or a pharmacist before taking paracetamol if you have:

• liver problems
• kidney problems.

Can I take paracetamol with my other medicines?

Don’t take paracetamol if you are also taking other paracetamol containing medicines, such as codeine combinations, migraine preparations and some cough and cold remedies, because of the risk of overdosing on paracetamol which may damage your liver and can be fatal.

Paracetamol taken for a few days for pain or fever doesn’t interact with many other medicines.

It’s okay to take paracetamol if you are on antibiotics.

If you want to check that paracetamol is safe to take with your other medicines, ask your doctor or a pharmacist, or read the information leaflet that comes with your medicine.

Warfarin

Paracetamol is the recommended painkiller for people taking warfarin.

Long-term use of paracetamol may increase the effect of warfarin, which can increase the risk of bleeding. However, this is unlikely to happen with occasional doses of paracetamol.

Can I take paracetamol if I’m pregnant?

Paracetamol is considered the first choice of painkiller if you are pregnant as it has been taken my large numbers of pregnant women without any adverse effect on the mother or baby.

However, if you take paracetamol when pregnant, make sure you take it for the shortest possible time.

Can I take paracetamol if I’m breastfeeding?

Paracetamol is the first choice of painkiller if you are breastfeeding.

It appears in breast milk in very small amounts which are unlikely to harm your baby.

If you take paracetamol when breastfeeding, make sure you take it for the shortest possible time.

What are the possible side effects of paracetamol?

People react differently to medicines. Just because a side effect is listed it doesn’t mean you will get the side effect.

Side effects from paracetamol are rare but include:

• rash
• blood disorders
• liver and kidney damage (when taken at higher than recommended doses).

Will paracetamol affect my driving?

Paracetamol is unlikely to affect your driving.

Is it okay to drink alcohol when I’m taking paracetamol?

Drinking a small amount of alcohol is unlikely to be harmful if you are taking paracetamol.

Are there any foods I should avoid?

There are no known interactions with food.