PARACETAMOL (para-ceet-a-mol)

Not included in this monograph — see individual monograph for information:

• Paracetamol + codeine
• Paracetamol + ibuprofen

Paracetamol is in lots of commonly available mixtures and tablets, alone or in combination.

• Mild to moderate pain relief
• Fever
• Chronic pain

Doses

• Reduces pain by blocking some pain pathways
• Lowers fever by reducing production of prostaglandins (hormone-like substances)
• Can be combined with stronger pain medicines (analgesics) — so less of the stronger pain medicine is needed

• Do not give tablets closer together than 4 hours for regular tablets or 6 hours for slow release tablets (can cause liver damage)

Liver trouble

Medical consult

If needed for more than a few days for adults or 48 hours for children 

Emergency

if a lot of tablets taken at once (overdose) — call doctor or ambulance straight away

• Make sure children are given correct dose
• Children's paracetamol comes in different strengths
• Use specially marked medicine cup or dropper
• Taking more than 6 slow-release or 8 regular tablets containing paracetamol in one day can damage your liver
• If taking paracetamol for pain or fever — make sure there is no paracetamol in other medicines you are taking (eg cold medicines, osteoarthritis medicines)

Return to clinic

if needed for more than a few days for adults or 48 hours for children OR you take too much

Warning stickers: 19a, A (slow-release tablets)

• Children's paracetamol comes in different strengths — check the dose carefully
• Do person's other medicines contain paracetamol OR dosing aid contains paracetamol
• If also taking warfarin — monitor INR and decrease warfarin dose if needed