Paracetamol, also known as acetaminophen, is a widely-used over-the-counter medication that serves primarily as a pain reliever and fever reducer¹. It is effective in treating a variety of mild to moderate pain conditions such as headaches, muscle aches, arthritis, backaches, toothaches, colds, and fevers².

Paracetamol works by blocking the production of prostaglandins in the brain that cause pain and inflammation and affects the chemical messengers that regulate body temperature³. It usually starts working within an hour and continues to be effective for about five hours³.

Typically found in tablets, capsules, syrups, powders that dissolve in water, and suppositories forms, the standard adult dosage is one or two 500mg tablets up to four times a day, with a maximum of eight tablets in 24 hours². It’s important not to take more than the recommended dose to avoid potential liver damage and serious side effects³.

Paracetamol is considered safe at recommended doses and can be taken during pregnancy and while breastfeeding³. However, it may not be safe to consume alcohol with paracetamol, especially if you have liver issues³.

Footnotes

1. NHS About Paracetamol ↩

2. NHS Paracetamol Dosage ↩ ↩²

3. NHS Common Questions About Paracetamol ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵