Paracetamol Tablets (500mg)
- Effective pain relief
- Treats pain for a variety of conditions
- For mild to moderate pain
Please note brand received may vary
sourced in the UK
order before 2pm
UK based pharmacies
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What is Paracetamol?
Paracetamol belongs to a group of medicines known as analgesics (painkillers). It is used to treat mild to moderate pain in conditions ranging from toothache to period pain.
Paracetamol is one of the most widely prescribed painkillers and can be used on its own or combined with other painkillers and medicines to treat a range of conditions. It is quite often used in a number of over the counter cold and flu remedies.
You can buy Paracetamol tablets over the counter from pharmacies and supermarkets.
What is Paracetamol 500mg used to treat?
Paracetamol is an analgesic medication that is used to treat mild to moderate pain that comes from a number of conditions.
You can take Paracetamol 500mg tablets to relieve pain that is associated with the likes of:
- Period pain
- Toothache
- Headaches
- Cold and flu-like symptoms
- Back aches and pains
- Muscle/joint aches and pains
- Pain following an operation
Why is Paracetamol recommended for pain relief?
Paracetamol has been widely used for pain relief for over 50 years.
It can be taken by adults and children aged 10 and above. Clinical studies have found that this medicine is well-tolerated and unlikely to cause side effects if taken correctly.
How does Paracetamol work?
Paracetamol works by blocking the body's natural pain messages that travel to the brain to let it know when we feel pain.
Paracetamol also works quickly when reducing a temperature caused by a fever. A fever is a sudden and temporary increase in body temperature, usually caused by a short illness. Paracetamol is highly effective at reducing body temperature by affecting the messages sent to the brain that regulate body temperature.
It has also been claimed that taking Paracetamol together with Ibuprofen can help to rapidly reduce fever.
Who can take Paracetamol 500mg?
Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to paracetamol or any of the other ingredients contained in this medicine (please refer to the ingredients tab for full details).
Check with your doctor or pharmacist before you start taking Paracetamol 500mg if any of the below apply to you:
- You have any liver problems that were caused by alcohol consumption
- You have any severe liver or kidney problems
Can you buy Paracetamol 500mg tablets online?
You can buy paracetamol online from most UK pharmacies.
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Paracetamol 500mg tablets dosage instructions
Our pharmacist and prescribers follow NICE prescribing guidelines when prescribing Paracetamol.
How to take Paracetamol 500mg tablets
Adults and children over 16 years old
The normal recommended dose is 2 tablets every 4 to 6 hours. Swallow the tablets whole with a drink of water; do not crush or chew them.
Wait for at least 4 hours before you take another dose.
Do not take more than 4 doses (8 tablets) in 24 hours.
Children aged 10 to 15 years old
Take one tablet every 4 to 6 hours when needed.
Do not take more than four doses in 24 hours.
Do not give Paracetamol 500mg to children under the age of 10 years old.
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Paracetamol side effects
If taken correctly, this painkiller medicine rarely causes adverse reactions. Side effects from Paracetamol are generally very rare.
Read the patient information leaflet for details on allergic reaction symptoms.
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Paracetamol Warnings
Taking Paracetamol 500mg with other painkillers
You can take paracetamol with Ibuprofen. However, we recommend that you read our detailed guide on taking paracetamol, ibuprofen, and Naproxen together, to understand the differences between them and how they may interact with each other.
While taking Paracetamol tablets, you must not take any other medicines that also contain paracetamol. Commonly, this can include other painkillers, as well as cough and cold remedies.
See the NICE website for more information on Paracetamol drug interactions.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
You can take Paracetamol during pregnancy, although you should be using the lowest possible dose to relieve your pain. You should also take it for the shortest time possible.
Learn more about taking paracetamol when pregnant or breastfeeding.
Always read the patient information leaflet for comprehensive details on warnings.
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Paracetamol Ingredients
The main active ingredient within this medicine is: Paracetamol
For a full list of the inactive ingredients, please read the Summary of Product Characteristics.
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How much does it cost to buy paracetamol 500mg tablets online?
Dosage Quantity Price (starting from) Paracetamol 500mg tablets 32 Tablets £1.99 -
Paracetamol FAQs
Is Paracetamol better than Ibuprofen?
Ibuprofen works in a different way to Paracetamol so it is better suited to treating certain types of pain. Ibuprofen is generally more effective at treating pain like toothache or period pain. Paracetamol is usually better for the likes of stomach aches and headaches.
What if Paracetamol doesn’t work?
If Paracetamol does not work, you can try alternative over the counter painkillers like Ibuprofen or Aspirin. Do not take more than the recommended dose to try and relieve your pain. If you cannot find sufficient pain relief, speak to your doctor; you may need a prescription-strength medicine.
Can I drink alcohol with it?
A small amount of alcohol is safe while taking Paracetamol. However, you should not exceed the recommended guidelines of 14 units a week. If you suffer from liver problems or other health conditions, it may be unsafe to drink alcohol at the same time as taking Paracetamol.
How safe is Paracetamol?
If you overdose on Paracetamol, it can cause liver failure. There is a one in a million risk that healthy people may also experience liver failure.
Why is Paracetamol bad for your liver?
Paracetamol is a safe medicine, but when taken in large doses it is hard for your body to process it safely. This causes a build-up of toxic metabolite; these toxins bind to liver cells and makes them die.
Is Paracetamol safe to take every day?
Yes, it is safe to take Paracetamol for a long time providing you do not exceed the recommended dosage. If you have chronic pain that has not been diagnosed, it is advisable to get it checked out by a doctor.
When will I feel better?
Paracetamol can take up to one hour to work. It will work for about 5 hours.
Can you take Paracetamol and Ibuprofen together?
People over the age of 16 can take these two medicines together as there is no known harmful interaction between them. It is not recommended that children take Paracetamol and Ibuprofen together.
Will it affect my fertility?
Paracetamol is not known to affect male or female fertility.
Will it affect my contraception?
No, Paracetamol does not have any effect on any contraception, including the morning after pill.
Written by: Hussain Abdeh MPharm: 2211840
Updated on: 20/05/2021
This content has been written by Hussain Abdeh and has been medically reviewed by Sonia Khan
Hussain Abdeh
MPharm: 2211840
UK registered pharmacist
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