Paracetamol

This is the most common strength available as tablets or caplets (tablets that are shaped like capsules). They are immediate-release tablets, meaning they start working straight away. 

• Dose: The usual dose for adults is 1 or 2 tablets every 4 to 6 hours when required for pain or fever. Don't take more than 4 doses in 24 hours (8 tablets in 24 hours). Taking more than the recommended dose can harm your liver.
• Timing: Depending on why you're taking paracetamol, your healthcare provider may advise that you take regular doses or take it only when you need it for pain relief. Wait at least 4 hours between doses. Keep track of the timing of your doses and check when it was last taken before taking it again.

The 665 mg tablets are used for osteoarthritis. These are modified-release tablets, where the dose is delivered over a longer period of time. This means you take fewer doses throughout the day.

• Swallow the tablets whole. Don't crush or chew them.
• Dose: The usual dose for adults is 2 tablets every 6 to 8 hours when required for pain. Don't take more than 6 tablets in 24 hours. Taking more than the recommended dose can harm your liver.
• Timing: Depending on why you're taking paracetamol, your healthcare provider may advise that you take regular doses or take it only when you need it for pain relief. Wait at least 6 hours between doses. Keep track of the timing of your doses and check when it was last taken before taking it again.

Some people may need lower doses of paracetamol

Some people should take less than the usual dose, eg, if you have liver problems, weigh less than 50 kg, drink a lot of alcohol or if you're dehydrated. If one or more of these apply to you, the usual adult dose may be harmful to your liver. Talk to your pharmacist or healthcare provider if you don't know what dose to take.

Taking paracetamol with other pain medicines

Paracetamol is also in many pain medicines you can buy from the pharmacy (eg, Maxigesic® and Nuromol®). An overdose can happen if you take another medicine that contains paracetamol at the same time.

If you do take other medicines that have paracetamol in them, be careful not to take more than the recommended dose of paracetamol each day (4 grams in 24 hours). If you're taking paracetamol 665 mg modified release tablets, don't take other products containing paracetamol.

It's safe to take paracetamol with other types of pain medicines that don't contain paracetamol (eg, ibuprofen) and opioid medicines (eg, codeine). Pain relief medicines all work differently so the type of medicine you need to treat your pain depends on what type of pain you have.

Paracetamol is found in many cold and flu products

Check the ingredients of cold and flu medicines before you take them. Paracetamol is included in many cold and flu products, eg, Codral®, Coldrex® and Lemsip®.

If you do take other medicines that have paracetamol in them, be careful not to take more than the recommended dose of paracetamol each day (4 grams in 24 hours). If you're taking paracetamol 665 mg modified release tablets, don't take other products containing paracetamol. 

Check with your pharmacist if you're not sure whether a product contains paracetamol.

Paracetamol is a very popular medicine and when taken correctly works well. However, too much paracetamol is very harmful to your liver.

If you realise you've had too much paracetamol (including from other products with paracetamol in them), call your healthcare provider or the Poisons Centre  0800 POISON (0800 764 766) immediately.

DO NOT wait for signs of an overdose as these appear later when the damage to your liver is already done.

Late signs may include:

• nausea (feeling sick) or vomiting (being sick)
• diarrhoea (runny poo)
• yellow skin or eyes
• poor appetite
• confusion or extreme sleepiness.

Older adults are most at risk, so should take extra care.