Paracetamol (Panadol, Calpol, Alvedon) is an analgesic and antipyretic drug that is used to temporarily relieve mild-to-moderate pain and fever. It is commonly included as an ingredient in cold and flu medications and is also used on its own.
Paracetamol is exactly the same drug as acetaminophen (Tylenol). Paracetamol is the drug's name assigned using the International Nonproprietary Name (INN) generic name system. Paracetamol is the name used for the drug in places such as Europe, Australia, New Zealand and India. Acetaminophen is the generic name assigned using the United States Adopted Names (USAN) system. Acetaminophen is the name used in countries such as the US, Canada and Japan. Usually the INN and USAN generic names for a drug are the same and don't differ between countries.
It is not clear exactly how paracetamol works. However, it is thought to work by blocking chemical messengers in the brain that let us know when we're in pain and by affecting the chemical messengers that regulate our body temperature. The evidence suggests that paracetamol inhibits the production of prostaglandins, which are made by the body to deal with illness and injury. It's also thought to act on the serotonergic, opioid, nitric oxide and cannabinoid pathways.
Paracetamol was first made in 1878, but only became more widely used in the 1950s. Today paracetamol is one of the most widely used painkillers in the world. Branded and generic versions of this drug are available.
Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is found in many different OTC cold and flu medications. Do not take paracetamol if you are taking any other prescription or non-prescription medications containing paracetamol or acetaminophen.
Do not take medications containing paracetamol if you are allergic to it or any of the other ingredients in the paracetamol product you are taking.
Before you take paracetamol, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including:
1- if you suffer from mild arthritis and need to take pain relief every day
2- have liver or kidney problems
3- are underweight or malnourished
4- regularly drink alcohol. You may be more open to the side effects of paracetamol if you drink large amounts of alcohol.
5- have a severe infection as this may increase you risk of metabolic acidosis. Signs of metabolic acidosis include:
A- deep, rapid, difficult breathing
B- feeling sick (nausea)
C- being sick (vomiting)
D- loss of appetite
Contact your doctor immediately if you get a combination of these symptoms. You may need to avoid or limit paracetamol.
6- have glucose-6-phosphatedehydrogenase deficiency (enzyme deficiency)
7- suffer from asthma and are sensitive to aspirin
8- have hemolytic anemia (abnormal breakdown of red blood cells)
Always use exactly as your doctor or pharmacist tells you to
Always read the instructions on your medication before taking it
Do not take more than the recommended dose. Check the instructions for the paracetamol product you have. The strength and recommended dose among for different paracetamol-containing products.
Paracetamol may be taken every 4 to 6 hours. Leave at least 4 hours between doses.
Do not take more than four doses in 24 hours.
Do not take for more than 3 days, unless your doctor tells you to
Contact your healthcare professional if your symptoms get worse or do not improve
Blood thinning medications (anticoagulants) such as warfarin and you need to take a pain reliever daily. Occasional doses of paracetamol can be taken with anticoagulants
Medications to help relieve nausea (metoclopramide or domperidone)
Medications to treat high cholesterol (cholestyramine)
Medications to treat epilepsy (lamotrigine)
Medications to treat tuberculosis (isoniazide)
Medication to treat fever or mild pain (aspirin, salicylamide)
Barbiturate and tricyclic antidepressants to treat depression (amitriptyline)
A medication to treat gout called probenecid
A medication used to treat bacterial infections called chloramphenicol
A medication used in HIV infections and AIDS called zidovudine
Flucloxacillin (antibiotic), due to a serious risk of blood and fluid abnormality (high anion gap metabolic acidosis) that must have urgent treatment, and which may occur particularly in case of severe renal impairment, sepsis (when bacteria and their toxins circulate in the blood leading to organ damage), malnutrition, chronic alcoholism, and if the maximum daily doses of paracetamol are used.
Keep out of sight and reach of children
Do not use the medicine after the expiry date
Store below 77°F (25°C) unless instructed otherwise
Store paracetamol suppositories in a cool, dry place below 77°F (25°C) and out of direct sunlight
Store paracetamol effervescent tablets below 86 7°F (30°C). Use within 1 month of first opening the tube. Do not use the effervescent tablets if you notice visible signs of deterioration, such as brown or black spots on the tablets, or bulging or discolored tablets.
Store paracetamol solution for infusion below 86 7°F (30°C). Do not refrigerate or freeze. Store in the original package and protect from light.
Inactive ingredients will vary among the different brands and formulations. Check the product label for your formulation and strength of paracetamol for the list of inactive ingredients.
Zentiva paracetamol capsules: maize starch and magnesium stearate. The capsule is made of gelatine and sodium lauryl sulfate coloured with titanium dioxide (E171), erythrosine (E127), yellow iron oxide (E172) and indigo carmine (E132). The ink used to print on the capsules contains shellac, dehydrated alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, butyl alcohol, propylene glycol, sodium hydroxide, povidone and titanium dioxide.
Panadol original tablets: maize starch, potassium sorbate (E 202), purified talc, stearic acid, povidone, starch pregelatinised, hypromellose, triacetin and carnauba wax.
Effervescent tablets: anhydrous citric acid, Sodium hydrogen carbonate, Sorbitol E420, Sodium carbonate anhydrous, Povidone K25 (E1201), Simethicone, Saccharin sodium, Lemon flavour (containing maize maltodextrin, acacia gum (E 414), alpha-tocopherol (E 307), Macrogol 6000
Accord intravenous (IV) infusion: cysteine hydrochloride monohydrate, disodium phosphate dihydrate, hydrochloric acid (1M) (for pH-adjustment), sodium hydroxide (1M) (for pH-adjustment), mannitol, water for injections.
Calpol SixPlus Fastmelts orally disintegrating tablets: mannitol (E421), crospovidone, aspartame (E951), magnesium stearate, basic butylated methacrylate copolymer, polyacrylate dispersion 30% and colloidal anhydrous silica. The flavoring is strawberry (containing benzyl alcohol and glucose).
Boots Cold & Flu Relief Powders - Lemon flavor: sucrose, sodium citrate, citric acid, tartaric acid, sodium cyclamate, ascorbic acid, starch, natural colour (E100), spray dried lemon juice, lemon aroma
Calpol 120 mg/5 ml infant oral suspension: sucrose, sorbitol liquid (E420), glycerol, polysorbate 80, asulfame potassium, methyl parahydroxybenzoate (E218), propyl parahydroxybenzoate (E216), ethyl parahydroxybenzoate (E214), microcrystalline cellulose and carmellose sodium, xanthan gum and purified water. The flavoring is strawberry (containing propylene glycol (E1520)) and coloring is carmoisine (E122). Each 5 ml of this product contains 2.2 g of sucrose.
Alvedon paracetamol suppositories: hard fat (Witepsol H12)
Panadol is marketed by GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare (UK) Trading Limited, Brentford, TW8 9GS, U.K. Calpol is marketed by McNeil Products Limited, 50-100 Holmers Farm Way, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP12 4EG, UK. Alvedon is marketed by Intrapharm Laboratories Ltd, The Courtyard Barns, Choke Lane, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 6PT, UK.