What Is Paracetamol? A Guide

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If you’re reading this article, you’re probably wondering what paracetamol is used for or how it works. You’ll find the answers to these questions as well as other information, for example how effective it is, if it has side effects or how it compares to other painkillers like ibuprofen. You’ll also find helpful information about paracetamol, in our Frequently Asked Questions section.

Paracetamol uses

Paracetamol is used to relieve mild to moderate pain. It is also useful for lowering a raised temperature (fever), such as during a cold or after childhood immunisations. Here’s more information about the different conditions that paracetamol can be used for:

Headaches

There are several causes of headaches, from having a cold or flu, to other reasons such as stress, bad posture or eyesight problems. Taking painkillers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol for headaches may help to relieve the pain.

Migraines

Migraines are a common health condition, affecting 1 in 7 people globally, often occurring in adulthood, between 25 and 55 years of age. Migraines are different for each person but for some they can feel like a moderate to severe headache that also throbs on one side of the head. Apart from sleeping or lying down in a dark room during a migraine attack, it may also be helpful to take a painkiller like paracetamol or ibuprofen.

Period pain

Many women experience period pain at some point in their lives. Ibuprofen is recommended for period pain because it blocks the chemicals (prostaglandins) that cause period cramps. Paracetamol can be used as an alternative to help reduce period pain, if ibuprofen is not suitable.

Fever

Many things can cause a fever (high temperature of 38C or more), such as a cold or flu. Fever is often caused by your body fighting an infection but can also have other causes. Getting lots of rest and drinking plenty of water can help, as well as taking paracetamol or ibuprofen to reduce a fever, if you feel uncomfortable.

Sprains and Strains

There are several common injuries that can cause muscles pain and aches. It may be helpful to try paracetamol for muscle pain first, along with resting and icing the injury, and keeping it elevated with a firm bandage (compression) to relieve your sprain or strain. You could also try the PRICE method:

• Protect the injury, by preventing to movement of the injured area
• Rest the injured area
• Ice the injured area
• Compress the injury
• Elevate the injured area

How does paracetamol work?

Paracetamol may affect the chemical messengers in an area of the brain that regulates body temperature, which is why it also reduces fever. Paracetamol does not have anti-inflammatory properties that other painkillers, such as ibuprofen do.

Does paracetamol have any side effects?

Paracetamol has few side effects when taken as recommended Although most people can take paracetamol without any problems, it may not be suitable for some people. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking paracetamol if you’re taking medicine:

• to prevent blood clots (e.g. warfarin)
• for epilepsy (seizures)
• for tuberculosis (TB)

You should also speak to a doctor or pharmacist if:

• you plan on taking any medicines (including paracetamol) while you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
• you have any problems with your liver or drink a lot of alcohol regularly,
• take other medicines prescribed by a doctor
• you have ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine.

How much paracetamol should I take?

The recommended dose for adults and children aged 16 years and older is 500mg to 1000mg every 4-6 hours, up to a maximum of 4000mg daily. For children under 16 years, the dose varies depending on age. To avoid taking too much paracetamol, stick to the recommended dose as directed on the product leaflet and avoid also taking cold and flu remedies at the same time, as these may also contain paracetamol.

Paracetamol vs ibuprofen: what’s the difference?

	Ibuprofen	Paracetamol
How it works	Blocks the formation of chemicals (prostaglandins) that cause pain and swelling in the body.	Thought to block or affect chemical messengers in the brain related to pain and fever.
Used for:	Inflammation, pain and fever.	Pain and fever.
Best for pain types:*	Mild to moderate period pain, back pain, joint pain, toothache, migraine, sprains and strains, cold and flu aches & fever as well as inflammation.	Mild to moderate pain, including headache, period pain, migraine, stomach-ache, body aches and fever caused by colds and flu or sprains and strains without swelling.

*These indications apply to the United Kingdom.