Paracetamol

Description

Paracetamol is the most widely used over-the-counter (OTC) medication for the treatment of fever and pain. It provides fast and effective relief from headaches, toothaches, backaches, menstrual pain, musculoskeletal pain associated with/without fever. Paracetamol decreases the intensity of pain signals to the brain and may also block the release of substances called prostaglandins that increases pain and body temperature. Paracetamol may show some side effects like stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting. Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to it. It is an effective medicine recommended to be used in all age groups. Paracetamol is available in different dosage forms such as a tablet, tablet ER, tablet MR, tablet DT, capsule, syrup, drops, suspension, injection and suppository. The oral form of paracetamol can be taken with or without food. Paracetamol injection will be given by your doctor in the hospital setting. For rectal suppositories, moisten the tip of the suppository and carefully insert it into the rectum as advised by your doctor. The paracetamol suppository is for external use. Avoid contact with eyes, nose, mouth and ears. Paracetamol is safe to be used within the recommended doses. Overdose may lead to liver or kidney damage, hence caution should be maintained. Therefore, keep track of the amount of Paracetamol you take in one day. This can decrease your risk of overdose. It is safe to be used in pregnancy and breastfeeding. Consult your doctor before using paracetamol if you are using any other medicines for your health conditions like liver/kidney conditions as this medicine may interact with other medicines.

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Paracetamol

  • Nausea and Vomiting
  • Skin rash
  • Dark or clay coloured stools
  • Tiredness
  • Loose stools
  • Bloody and cloudy urine
  • Stomach discomfort

Uses of Paracetamol

What is it prescribed for?

  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Muscle Pain
  • Menstrual Cramps
  • Joint pain or discomfort
  • Toothache
  • Post Vaccination Fever
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Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action
    Paracetamol provides fast and effective relief from pain and fever. Oral forms (tablet, capsule): the onset of action is seen in 30-60 minutes after taking it. Injectable forms (injection, infusion): The effects can be seen in 15-30 minutes. Rectal form (suppository): onset of action is unknown.
  • Duration of effect
    Paracetamol effects may last for the duration of 4-6 hours.
  • Safe with alcohol?
    Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
  • Is it habit forming?
    No habit forming tendency has been reported for Paracetamol.
  • Usage in pregnancy?
    Paracetamol is the safest first-line treatment in pregnant women to reduce pain or fever. It is not known to cause any harm to the foetus. However, consult your doctor before using this medicine.
  • Usage while breast-feeding?
    Paracetamol is the best choice of painkillers during breastfeeding. It appears in breast milk in very small amounts which are not known to harm your baby. However, consult your doctor before taking this medicine.

Allergy

Avoid using Paracetamol if you are allergic to it. Inform your doctor if there is a history of paracetamol allergy. Contact your doctor and seek medical attention immediately if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling anywhere in the body, dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.

Kidney damage

Long term use of some painkillers may harm your kidney. Paracetamol is not recommended for use if you have any kidney problem associated with the excessive use of painkillers.

Severe liver disease

Paracetamol gets broken down and absorbed in the liver. Higher doses of this medicine may cause liver damage. Therefore, Paracetamol is generally not recommended if you have severe liver problems because it can further increase the risk of liver damage.
Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

Paracetamol is the safest first-line treatment in pregnant women to reduce pain or fever. It is not known to cause any harm to the foetus. However, consult your doctor before using this medicine.

Breast-feeding

Paracetamol is the best choice of painkillers during breastfeeding. It appears in breast milk in very small amounts which are not known to harm your baby. However, consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
General warnings

Overdose and/or excessive use

Excessive use of Paracetamol can lead to paracetamol poisoning. It results in liver damage. Use this medicine as advised by your doctor/pharmacist.

Liver disease

Overdose of paracetamol can lead to liver damage. Hence maintain caution while taking Paracetamol.

Chronic malnutrition

Malnutrition and fasting can increase the risk of paracetamol toxicity. Your doctor may adjust the dose of paracetamol if required based on your body weight.

External use only

Paracetamol suppository is for external use only. Hence avoid contact with eyes, ears, nose and mouth.

Missed Dose

Oral and rectal forms: Paracetamol is normally taken on a needed basis. If you miss a scheduled dose take it as soon as possible but do not double the dose to make up for the missed one. Parenteral forms: It is always important to take your paracetamol injection at the scheduled time. If you missed taking the dose, inform your doctor, and get an appointment for further instructions.

Overdose

Oral/rectal forms: Never take more than the prescribed dose. Seek emergency medical treatment or contact your doctor in case you suspect an overdose of paracetamol. Injectable form: Paracetamol injection is administered in a hospital setting by your doctor, so the likelihood of an overdose is rare. Contact your doctor if an overdose with paracetamol is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol

Description

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

Instructions

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine

Carbamazepine

Phenytoin

Sodium Nitrite

Leflunomide

Prilocaine

Disease interactions

Alcoholism

Consumption of alcohol during treatment with Paracetamol may cause liver damage. Hence, avoid consuming alcohol while taking Paracetamol due to the risk of liver damage.

Liver disease

Paracetamol may increase liver enzyme levels. Hence, maintain caution while taking paracetamol as it can increase the risk of liver damage.

Kidney disease

Paracetamol is filtered by the kidney and excreted through urine. Hence, maintain caution while taking paracetamol as it can increase the risk of kidney damage.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions

5-HIAA Urine Test

Paracetamol can interfere with urine tests and may give a false-positive result. It is advised to inform your doctor and the lab technician about all your current medicines before undergoing any lab test.
Oral forms: Paracetamol is used for treating fever and pain. It can be taken with or without food. Never take more than the prescribed dose. Paracetamol maximum dose per day is 4 grams. Your doctor may advise a blood test to check for kidney and liver enzyme levels. Injection: Paracetamol injection will be given to the vein in the hospital setting by your doctor. Hence do not self-administer. Inform your doctor if you notice any undesirable side effects Rectal forms: Paracetamol suppository is recommended for external use only. Avoid contact with your eyes, nose and mouth. In case of accidental contact, wash with water thoroughly. Maintain hygiene and use as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all the usage instructions mentioned on the label or the package insert before inserting the suppository.
Miscelleneous

Can be taken with or without food, as advised by your doctor

To be taken as instructed by doctor

Does not cause sleepiness

How it works
Paracetamol decreases the intensity of pain signals to the brain. It also stops the release of chemicals called prostaglandins, that increase pain, and body temperature. Thus, this medicine provides relief from mild to moderate pain and fever and makes you feel better.
Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Approved

Approved

Classification

Category

Analgesics/Antipyretic

Schedule

OTC

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https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=168da31e-de62-4280-9c66-2b41d2d93c31>

Drugs, H., 2020. Acetaminophen: Medlineplus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 19 December 2020].

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a681004.html>

Medicines.org.uk. 2020. Paracetamol 500Mg Tablets -Summary Of Product Characteristics (Smpc) - (Emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 26 December 2020].

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/5164/smpc>

Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2020. Acetaminophen. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 30 December 2020].

https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Acetaminophen>

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Information on this page was last updated on 18 Oct 2021

Disclaimer

We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.