Paracetamol (also known as acetaminophen) is a commonly used medication that can help reduce a high temperature (fever) and treat pain. As it is safe for most people and side effects are rare, it is usually recommended as one of the first treatments for pain.
# Can I Use Paracetamol with Other Medicines?
Paracetamol may react unpredictably with specific other medications. This may affect the effectiveness of any of the medications and may improve the risk of side effects. It can not be safe to take paracetamol with other medicines at the same time as:
- Other products containing paracetamol: including combined products where paracetamol is one of the ingredients.
- Carbamazepine: treats a number of conditions, including epilepsy and some types of hard pain.
- Cholestyramine: treats a number of conditions, including itching caused by primary biliary cirrhosis.
- Busulfan: used to treat some types of cancer.
- Lixisenatide: used to treat type 2 diabetes.
- Metoclopramide: used to relieve vomiting and nausea.
- Phenobarbital and phenytoin: used to control seizures.
- Coumarins: these are present in oral anticoagulant medicines (to prevent the blood clotting)
Check the package leaflet that comes with your medication to see whether it can be taken with paracetamol. Ask a doctor or a pharmacist if you are not sure.
# Side Effects of Paracetamol
Side effects of paracetamol are rare but may include: an allergic reaction, redness, blood disorders, low blood pressure, kidney, and liver problem if you take too much. If you develop any problematic side effects, talk to a doctor or pharmacist. Click here!
# Paracetamol Overdose
Taking too much paracetamol is known as an overdose. It can be very dangerous if you have taken more than the maximum recommended dose, go to the nearest accident and emergency department immediately.
# Who Can Take Paracetamol?
Most people can safely take paracetamol, including pregnant women, nursing women, children older than three months (lower doses are recommended for babies). Always get advice from your GP or doctor before taking paracetamol.
# How Should I Take Paracetamol?
Be sure to take paracetamol as instructed by a health professional, or as directed on the label or leaflet. The amount you can take depends on your age, your weight, the type of paracetamol you take and how strong it is!
# Can I Take Both Paracetamol and Ibuprofen at the Same Time?
It is safe to take paracetamol and ibuprofen together if you are 16 years old or over, as no harmful interactions between these medications are known. The advice for children is always different. There are no known issues attributable to take paracetamol with a certain food or drinking moderate amounts of alcohol while taking paracetamol.
# Can I Give My Child Paracetamol and Ibuprofen Together?
Of course No. Do not give your child paracetamol and ibuprofen together, unless recommended by a health professional or a doctor. If you give them one of these medications and they are still distressed before the next dose, you can try the other medication.
# Can I Take Paracetamol or Ibuprofen with Cough or Cold Medications?
It just depends on whether the cough or cold medication also contains paracetamol or ibuprofen. Always avoid exceeding the highest dose. If you are already taking a cough or cold medicine that contains these ingredients, you should not take paracetamol or ibuprofen.
Remember that never share your medications with other people, keep this and all other medications out of the reach of children and use this medication only for the prescribed indication. For more details, visit: https://sco.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paracetamol