What are Paracetamol tablets?
Paracetamol 500mg caplets belong to a type of medicine known as analgesics. These are used to treat aches and pain and reduce a high temperature.
It can be combined with other painkillers and anti-sickness medication making it very effective at providing pain relief. It is commonly found in various cold and flu remedies so caution must be used when taking it.
Each caplet contains 500mg paracetamol. Do not take it with another medicine containing paracetamol, including combination painkillers or cold and flu remedies.
Other ingredients are maize starch, povidone, pregelatinised maize starch, sodium starch glycolate and magnesium stearate. Each caplet contains less than 23mg sodium. Do not take the caplets if you are allergic to paracetamol or an ingredient.
How to buy Paracetamol tablets online
Paracetamol tablets can be purchased over the counter in packs of 16. To purchase up to 3 packs of 32 you can use our online pharmacy service to buy Paracetamol tablets online in the UK with collection, free and next day delivery available. We are a regulated GPhC registered pharmacy based in the UK. As Paracetamol tablets in packs of 32 are a 'Pharmacy-only' (P) medicine a pharmacist needs to have a consultation to make sure treatment is appropriate before you can purchase them.
Upon completion of your order, our pharmacist will then review your online assessment. If your assessment is approved, our pharmacy team will then dispense your order, which will be dispatched the same day using your chosen delivery method.
What can Paracetamol be used for?
Paracetamol can be taken for a variety of aches and pains including but not limited to:
- Headaches
- Menstrual periods
- Toothaches
- Backaches
- Osteoarthritis
- Injuries
They are also very commonly used to treat colds and flu as they have a double effect of helping reduce pain and temperature caused by them.
How Paracetamol tablets work
The full mechanism of action of paracetamol is still not fully known, but it is thought to work by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis. Prostaglandins are produced in response to injury which is associated with the symptoms of redness, swelling, pain and fever. By reducing the levels of prostaglandin paracetamol can reduce the amount of pain we experience.
Paracetamol reduces fever by affecting an area of the brain that regulates our body temperature.
How to take Paracetamol tablets
Swallow with water. These scored 500mg caplets can be divided into equal 250mg halves. Use the dose for the person’s age:
- Adults and ages 16 and over: one or two caplets (500mg–1g).
- Ages 12–15: one or one-and-a-half caplets (500–750mg).
- Ages 10–12: one caplet (500mg).
- Ages 6–10: half a caplet (250mg).
- Under six: these caplets are not recommended.
The leaflet uses the child age bands shown above. Check the supplied pack or ask a pharmacist if you are unsure which dose applies, including at ages 10 and 12. Leave four to six hours between doses and give no more than four doses in 24 hours. Adults and ages 16 and over must not exceed eight caplets in 24 hours; children have lower limits according to their dose.
Take with or without food. People weighing under 50kg or with liver or kidney problems may need a different maximum. If symptoms do not improve, speak to a doctor. If you take too much, contact NHS 111 or a doctor immediately even if you feel well: serious liver damage can be delayed.
Paracetamol side effects
Side effects are very rare with Paracetamol. If you notice anything unusual contact a pharmacist or doctor.
Who cannot take Paracetamol
It is generally well tolerated and suitable for most adults and children. However it may not be suitable if you:
- Have previously had an allergic reaction to Paracetamol
- Have liver problems
- Have kidney problems
- You regularly drink more than the maximum amount of alcohol recommended (14 units a week)
- You are under 50kg (8 stone) – you may need to take a lower dose
Ask your pharmacist or doctor before use if you have asthma and react to aspirin. Tell them about other medicines, particularly warfarin, epilepsy medicines, flucloxacillin, rifampicin, cancer treatments or St John’s wort, as these can change the risks or effects of paracetamol.
Paracetamol and pregnancy
Paracetamol is safe to take in pregnancy at recommended doses.
Paracetamol and breastfeeding
Paracetamol is safe to take while breastfeeding at recommended doses.
Paracetamol and other pain killers
Paracetamol is commonly taken with other pain relief medication to provide more pain relief.
Ibuprofen
It is available as a Pharmacy (P) medicine in a combination with codeine which is a powerful opioid analgesic: Co-codamol tablets Co-codamol effervescent tablets Solpadeine Plus capsules Solpadeine Plus Soluble tablets Solpadeine Max tablets Solpadeine Max Soluble tablets
It is available as a Pharmacy (P) medicine in a combination with dihydrocodeine which is a powerful opioid analgesic: Paramol tablets
It is also available in various cold & flu remedies, if you are taking any cold and flu remedies always check if they have paracetamol in them before taking any other form of paracetamol.
These combination products are alternatives, not extra paracetamol doses: co-codamol, Solpadeine and Paramol already contain paracetamol. Do not take paracetamol caplets alongside them or with another paracetamol-containing cold and flu medicine.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Paracetamol while pregnant?
Yes, paracetamol is usually the first-choice painkiller in pregnancy. Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest time and ask a pharmacist or doctor if you need it regularly.
Can I take Paracetamol while breastfeeding?
Yes, paracetamol is a usual first-choice painkiller while breastfeeding when taken at the recommended dose.
Can I buy Paracetamol tablets over the counter?
Yes, they can be bought over the counter in a pack of 16. If you require packs of 32 you must first have a short consultation with a pharmacist.
How many Paracetamol tablets can I take in one day?
Ages 16 and over: no more than eight 500mg caplets in 24 hours. Children aged 6–15 need the lower age-specific dose shown in the directions; no age group should have more than four doses in 24 hours, with at least four hours between them. Do not give these caplets to children under six. If too much is taken, contact NHS 111 or a doctor immediately, even if the person feels well.
Do Paracetamol tablets expire?
Yes, like most medicines it has a shelf life and will become less effective if it is left unused. Always check the expiry date of any medicines you are taking before you take them, the expiry date refers to the end of the month. If you find your medication has expired, you can post them to us, bring them to us or take them to your nearest pharmacy for safe disposal.
How should I store Paracetamol tablets?
Keep the caplets in their original packaging, protected from heat, light and moisture, out of children’s sight and reach. Follow the storage instructions on your pack and do not use after the expiry date. Return unwanted medicine to a pharmacy.
How quickly does Paracetamol work?
You will usually see an effect after around 30-60 minutes.
Can I take Paracetamol tablets with alcohol?
Avoid alcohol while taking these caplets. Alcohol and paracetamol together can affect liver function, particularly with alcohol dependence or liver problems. Ask your pharmacist or doctor if this applies to you.
Is it safe to buy Paracetamol tablets from your pharmacy?
We are a General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) registered pharmacy and we source all our pharmaceutical products from reputable wholesalers, the same wholesalers that provide the medicines used to fill NHS prescriptions.
If you buy them from an unregistered pharmacy you may be wasting your money at best or at worst harm yourself buying and taking fake tablets. Always check to make sure where you are buying them from are registered with the GPhC.
Sources and further information
- NHS: paracetamol for adults
- Paracetamol 500mg caplets: earlier patient leaflet
- Paracetamol 500mg tablets and caplets patient leaflet
- NHS: paracetamol for children
- If you would like more information, you can find the SPC: Previously linked paracetamol product information
