- Swallow the tablet with water. If needed, it can be broken in half along the score line.
- Adults and children over 15 who weigh more than 55kg: 1 or 2 tablets, leaving at least 4 to 6 hours between doses. Do not take more than 6 tablets (3g) in 24 hours.
- Adults and children over 15 who weigh 40 to 55kg: 1 tablet, leaving at least 4 to 6 hours between doses. No more than 4 to 6 tablets in 24 hours, depending on body weight. Ask your pharmacist if you are unsure.
- Children aged 12 to 15 (40 to 55kg): 1 tablet, leaving at least 4 to 6 hours between doses. No more than 4 to 6 tablets (2 to 3g) in 24 hours, depending on body weight. Ask your pharmacist if you are unsure.
- Not recommended for children under 12. Other paracetamol products are available for younger children.
- Do not use it for more than 3 days for a fever or 5 days for pain without seeing a doctor. See a doctor sooner if you feel worse, or if other symptoms such as a cough, headache, rash, nausea or vomiting appear.
- If you are elderly and frail, or have kidney or liver problems or Gilbert's syndrome, you may need a lower dose or a longer gap between doses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Safety information
Who should not use it
Do not take these tablets if you are allergic to paracetamol or any of the ingredients, if you have a wheat allergy, or if you are already taking any other medicine that contains paracetamol. Not recommended for children under 12.
Warnings & precautions
Never take these alongside another paracetamol-containing product. Paracetamol is in many cold, flu and pain medicines, so check the label of anything else you take. Never take more than the stated dose. A higher dose will not relieve pain better, and it can cause severe liver damage that may not show for a few days. If you take too much, contact a doctor straight away, even if you feel fine. Do not drink alcohol while taking it. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist first if you have kidney or liver problems, Gilbert's syndrome, G6PD deficiency, haemolytic anaemia (red blood cells breaking down) or glutathione deficiency. Also talk to them first if you are dehydrated or malnourished, weigh less than 50kg, are elderly, take other medicines that affect the liver, have alcohol problems, or have asthma and are sensitive to aspirin. Tell them about other medicines, especially blood thinners such as warfarin, colestyramine, metoclopramide, domperidone, phenothiazines, phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, isoniazid, St John's wort, probenecid, rifampicin, the contraceptive pill or flucloxacillin. While taking it, tell your doctor straight away if you have a severe illness such as sepsis or severe kidney problems, are malnourished, drink heavily, or take flucloxacillin. In these situations a serious build-up of acid in the blood (metabolic acidosis) can occur. Signs include deep, rapid breathing, drowsiness, nausea and vomiting.
Pregnancy & breastfeeding
Ask your doctor for advice before taking it if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or are planning a baby. If needed, paracetamol can be used during pregnancy at the lowest dose that works, for the shortest possible time. Contact your doctor if your pain or fever is not reduced or you need it more often. It can be taken while breastfeeding.
Possible side effects
Stop taking it and contact a doctor straight away if you get a fever with feeling very unwell, or a fever with a sore throat, sore mouth or difficulty passing urine. In rare cases paracetamol can lower white blood cells, so infections can become serious. Also stop and get help straight away for swelling of the face, tongue or throat, difficulty swallowing, hives or difficulty breathing. Stop taking it and get emergency help for a severe skin reaction: a rash with or without blisters, sores in the mouth, eyes or genitals, or peeling skin. Rare: allergic rash, itching or hives; effects on the liver (tiredness, nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, loss of appetite). Very rare: bruising or bleeding, frequent infections, breathing difficulties, kidney effects, paleness or yellowing of the skin from anaemia, and severe allergic reactions.
Always read the label
This is a medicine. Always read the label and patient information leaflet before use. If symptoms persist, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
