What is Panadol used for?
- Relieving mild to moderate pain such as headache, migraine, nerve pain (neuralgia), toothache, sore throat, earache, period pain and rheumatic and muscular aches and pains.
- Lowering a high temperature (fever).
- Relieving aches, pains, fever and discomfort associated with colds and flu.
How does Panadol work?
Panadol Original tablets, Panadol Advance tablets, Panadol ActiFast tablets and Panadol ActiFast soluble tablets all contain paracetamol, a painkilling medicine used to relieve mild to moderate pain and fever.
Paracetamol is thought to relieve pain by reducing the production of prostaglandins in the brain and spinal cord.
Prostaglandins are produced by the body in response to injury and certain diseases. One of their actions is to sensitise nerve endings, so that when the injury is stimulated it causes pain (presumably to prevent us from causing further harm to the area). As paracetamol reduces the production of these nerve sensitising prostaglandins it is thought it may increase our pain threshold, so that although the cause of the pain remains, we can feel it less.
Paracetamol reduces fever by affecting an area of the brain that regulates our body temperature (the hypothalamic heat-regulating center).
Paracetamol is about as effective as aspirin and ibuprofen at relieving mild to moderate pain and reducing fever, but unlike these it has no anti-inflammatory effect.
Panadol ActiFast tablets and Panadol Advance tablets have been specially formulated to allow the paracetamol to be absorbed into the bloodstream faster than standard paracetamol tablets or capsules. Soluble paracetamol tablets are also absorbed faster.
How do I take Panadol?
- Panadol Original tablets: Adults and adolescents over 12 years of age should take one to two tablets every four to six hours as needed, up to a maximum of four doses in 24 hours. Children aged six to 12 years should be given half to one tablet every four to six hours as needed, up to a maximum of four doses in 24 hours.
- Panadol Advance tablets: Adults and adolescents over 12 years of age should take one to two tablets every four to six hours as needed, up to a maximum of four doses in 24 hours. Children aged six to 12 years should be given half to one tablet every four to six hours as needed, up to a maximum of four doses in 24 hours.
- Panadol ActiFast tablets: Adults and adolescents aged 12 years and over should take one to two tablets with a half a tumbler of water (100ml) every four to six hours as needed, up to a maximum of four doses in 24 hours.
- Panadol ActiFast soluble tablets: Adults and adolescents over 12 years of age should take one to two tablets dissolved in at least half a tumbler of water every four to six hours as needed, up to a maximum of four doses in 24 hours. Children aged six to 12 years should be given half to one tablet dissolved in at least half a tumbler of water every four to six hours as needed, up to a maximum of four doses in 24 hours.
- Paracetamol can be taken either with or without food.
- Do not exceed the recommended dose.
- If symptoms persist get advice from your doctor or pharmacist.
- Do not give this medicine to your child for more than three days without getting medical advice from your doctor or pharmacist.
What should I know before taking Panadol?
- Do not take Panadol with any other medicines that contain paracetamol, as this can easily result in exceeding the recommended dose of paracetamol.
- An overdose of paracetamol is dangerous and capable of causing serious damage to the liver and kidneys. You should never exceed the recommended dose of Panadol. Get immediate medical advice in the event of an overdose with this medicine, even if you feel well, because of the risk of delayed, serious liver damage.
- Alcohol increases the risk of liver damage that can occur if an overdose of paracetamol is taken. The hazards of paracetamol overdose are greater in persistant heavy drinkers and in people with alcoholic liver disease.
- Consult your doctor if your headaches become persistent. Taking a painkiller for headaches too often or for too long can actually make the headaches worse.
Who should not take Panadol?
- Panadol ActiFast tablets are not suitable for children under 12 years of age.
- Panadol ActiFast soluble tablets, Panadol Advance tablets and Panadol Original tablets are not suitable for children under six years of age. Other forms of paracetamol are available for this age group (see factsheets linked at the end of this page).
- Panadol ActiFast tablets and Panadol ActiFast soluble tablets contain sodium and should not be taken by people on a low sodium diet.
- Panadol ActiFast soluble tablets contain sorbitol and should not be taken by people with rare hereditary problems of fructose intolerance.
Panadol products should not be used if you are allergic to any of their ingredients. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using Panadol and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
Who should get medical advice before taking Panadol?
- People with kidney or liver problems.
- People who have been dehydrated or malnourished for a long time.
- People who suffer from alcohol dependence (alcoholism).
Can I take Panadol while pregnant or breastfeeding?
- Paracetamol is generally considered safe for short-term use during pregnancy. However, as with all medicines you should always check with your doctor, pharmacist or midwife before using this medicine if you are pregnant.
- Small amounts of paracetamol may pass into breast milk, however there are no known harmful effects when it is used by breastfeeding mothers.
What are the possible side effects of Panadol?
Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with paracetamol. Just because a side effect is stated here does not mean that all people using Panadol will experience that or any side effect.
- Allergic skin reactions such as a rash (very rarely).
If you want any more
information about the possible side effects of Panadol read the leaflet provided with the medicine or talk to your doctor or pharmacist. If you think you
have experienced a side effect, did you know you can report this using the yellow card website?
Can I take Panadol with other medicines?
Don't take other medicines that contain paracetamol in combination with Panadol, as this can easily result in exceeding the maximum recommended daily dose of paracetamol. Many cold and flu remedies and other painkillers contain paracetamol so be sure to check the ingredients of any other medicines before taking them in combination with this one, or ask your pharmacist for advice.
It is fine to take paracetamol in combination with ibuprofen or aspirin (assuming these are appropriate for you). However, don't take paracetamol with co-codamol, co-dydramol or Tramacet because these contain paracetamol.
If you take paracetamol in the hour before or the six hours after taking colestyramine, the paracetamol is likely to be less effective. This is because colestyramine reduces the absorption of paracetamol from the gut.
The antidiabetic medicines exenatide, lixisenatide and liraglutide may slow down the absorption of paracetamol into the bloodstream, so it might take longer to work if you are using one of these medicines to treat your diabetes. Ask your pharmacist for more advice.
Metoclopramide and domperidone may speed up the absorption of paracetamol from the gut.
If you are taking an anticoagulant medicine such as warfarin it is fine to take occasional doses of paracetamol to relieve pain or fever. However, long-term or regular use of paracetamol may potentially increase the anti-blood-clotting effect of warfarin, leading to an increased risk of bleeding. You can get more advice about this from your doctor or pharmacist.
If you are having treatment with the anti-cancer medicines busulfan or imatinib you should not take paracetamol without first checking with your doctor or pharmacist.
Other medicines containing paracetamol
- Alvedon suppositories.
- Anadin paracetamol.
- Fennings children's cooling powders.
- Perfalgan infusion.
Paracetamol tablets, capsules, caplets, soluble tablets, suspension and suppositories are also widely available without brand names, ie as the generic medicine.
The quantity and strength of paracetamol supplied in the container or packet will determine whether it can be bought only from pharmacies, or from other retail outlets such as supermarkets and garages.
Medicines that contain a combination of paracetamol together with other medicines are also widely available, for example cold and flu remedies and other painkillers.
NB. Paracetamol is known as acetaminophen in the USA and some other countries.