PACKAGE LEAFLET – INFORMATION FOR THE USER
PARACETAMOL 500mg TABLETS
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains
important information for you.
Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again
If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist
Do not pass this medicine on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the
same as yours
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side
effects not listed in this leaflet.
What is in this leaflet:
1.What paracetamol is and what it is used for
2.What you need to know before you take paracetamol
3.How to take paracetamol
4.Possible side effects
5.How to store paracetamol
6.Contents of the pack and other information
1.WHAT PARACETAMOL IS AND WHAT IT IS USED FOR
The name of your medicine is Paracetamol 500mg Tablets (called paracetamol throughout this
leaflet). This medicine contains paracetamol. It belongs to a group of medicines called analgesics
(painkillers) and is used to treat pain (including headache, toothache, back and period pain) and
cold or flu symptoms.
2.WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU TAKE PARACETAMOL
Do not take paracetamol and tell your doctor if:
You are allergic to the active substance or any of the other ingredients in your medicine (listed
in Section 6)
Signs of an allergic reaction include a rash and breathing problems. There can also be swelling
of the legs, arms, face, throat or tongue
Children
Paracetamol 500mg Tablets must not be given to children under 10 years of age
Do not take paracetamol if any of the above apply to you. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor
or pharmacist before taking paracetamol.
Warnings and precautions
Take special care and check with your doctor before taking paracetamol if:
You have severe kidney or liver problems
You have a liver problem caused by alcohol
If you are not sure if any of the above apply to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before
taking this medicine.
Other medicines and paracetamol
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other
medicines. This includes medicines obtained without a prescription, including herbal medicines.
This is because paracetamol can affect the way some other medicines work. Also, some other
medicines can affect the way paracetamol works.
While taking paracetamol you should not take any other medicines which contain paracetamol.
This includes some painkillers, cough and cold remedies. It also includes a wide range of other
medicines available from your doctor and more widely in shops.
Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking:
flucloxacillin (antibiotic), due to a serious risk of blood and fluid abnormality (high anion gap
metabolic acidosis) that must have urgent treatment and which may occur particularly in case of
severe renal impairment, sepsis (when bacteria and their toxins circulate in the blood leading to
organ damage), malnutrition, chronic alcoholism, and if the maximum daily doses of
paracetamol are used.
Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
Medicines used to thin the blood such as warfarin
Metoclopramide or domperidone - used to stop you feeling sick (nausea) or being sick
(vomiting)
Colestyramine - for lowering blood cholesterol levels
If you are not sure if any of the above apply to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before
taking paracetamol.
Taking paracetamol with alcohol
You should not drink whilst taking these tablets. Taking alcohol with paracetamol can increase
your chances of getting side effects.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
Talk to your doctor before taking these tablets if:
You are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or plan to get pregnant
You are breast-feeding or planning to breast-feed
If necessary, paracetamol can be used during pregnancy. You should use the lowest possible
dose that reduces your pain and/or your fever and use it for the shortest time possible. Contact
your doctor or midwife if the pain and/or fever are not reduced or if you need to take the
medicine more often.
Always take paracetamol exactly as instructed on this leaflet. Check with your doctor or
pharmacist if you are not sure.
Do not take more than the recommended dose
If you need to use this medicine for more than three days at a time, see your doctor Adults and
children over 16
The usual dose of paracetamol is 2 tablets
Swallow the tablets whole with a drink of water
Wait at least 4 hours before taking another dose
Do not take more than 4 doses in any 24-hour period Use in children aged 10 to 15
Take one tablet every four to six hours when necessary to a maximum of four doses in 24 hours.
Use in children under 10 If you take more paracetamol than you should
Paracetamol 500mg Tablets should not be given to children under 10 years of age.
Talk to a doctor at once if you take too much of this medicine even if you feel well. This is
because too much paracetamol can cause delayed, serious liver damage.
Remember to take any remaining tablets and the pack with you. This is so the doctor knows what
you have taken
If you forget to take paracetamol
If you forget to take a dose at the right time, take it as soon as you remember. However, do not
take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose. Remember to leave at least 4 hours between
doses.
4.POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. The
following side effects may happen with this medicine:
Stop taking paracetamol and see a doctor or go to a hospital straight away if:
You get swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, face, lips or throat which may cause difficulty in
swallowing or breathing. You could also notice an itchy, lumpy rash (hives) or nettle rash
(urticaria) This may mean you are having an allergic reaction to paracetamol You get serious
skin reactions. Very rare cases have been reported.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects gets serious or lasts longer
than a few days:
You get infections or bruise more easily than usual. This could be because of a blood problem
(such as agranulocytosis, neutropenia or thrombocytopenia). This side effect has only happened
in a few people taking paracetamol.
