Paracetamol (Oral)

What is this medication for?

Paracetamol (also known as Acetaminophen) is used to relieve fever, headache, body aches and pain in general.

You can also find out about this medication by watching these videos:

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How should I take or use this medication?

As there are different strengths and dosage forms for Paracetamol, please make sure to take it as recommended on the label. Do not take two products containing Paracetamol at the same time.

Do check with your healthcare professional if you are unsure of how to take the medicine.

Do not exceed the Paracetamol dosage recommended on the label as taking too much Paracetamol may cause a serious liver problem.

Paracetamol can be taken with or without food.

What should I do if I forget to take or use this medication?

Paracetamol may be taken when needed to relieve fever or pain, it is not always necessary to take it regularly. Please check with your healthcare professional if you are unsure.

What precautions should I take when taking or using this medication?

Inform your healthcare professional if:

• You are allergic to Paracetamol or any of the other ingredients of this medication
• You have liver disease or regularly drink large quantities of alcohol
• You have kidney disease
• You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies.

What are some common side effects of this medication? ​

Paracetamol is well tolerated with few reported side effects. Inform your healthcare professional if you experience any side effects that you think might be related to Paracetamol.

What are some rare but serious side-effects that I need to seek medical advice immediately? 

Patients who overdose on Paracetamol may have an increased risk of liver problems. Signs of liver problems include:

• Nausea, sudden weight loss, loss of appetite
• Yellowing of eyes and skin
• Unexplained bruising or bleeding

Paracetamol may also cause allergic reactions. The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:

• Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
• Difficulty in breathing
• Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

You can also find out about drug allergies by watching these videos:

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If you experience any of these rare symptoms, you should stop taking Paracetamol and see your healthcare professional immediately.

If you experience the following symptoms, your condition may be too serious for self-treatment and you should consult a doctor:

• Ongoing fever even after 3 days of treatment
• Ongoing headache that lasts for more than 2 days
• No improvement in pain after 7 days of treatment
• Any of the above symptoms worsen after treatment

What food or medication should I avoid when I take or use this medication?

Check with your healthcare professional before taking Paracetamol if you are taking Warfarin or other similar medications to prevent blood clots.

How should I store this medication?

Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep Paracetamol away from children.

How do I throw away this medication safely? ​

Pack Paracetamol into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing it into the rubbish chute or bin.

What else should I know about this medication? 

Paracetamol has been used worldwide for decades to manage pain and fever, including in pregnant women. It remains the recommended treatment for pain or fever in pregnant women when used as directed.  There is no established link between paracetamol use during pregnancy and autism in children.