Adults can usually take 1 or 2 tablets (500mg) every 4-6 hours, but shouldn't take more than 4g (8 x 500mg tablets) in the space of 24 hours. Children under 16 need to take a lower dose, depending on their age or weight – check the packet or leaflet, or ask a pharmacist or doctor for advice.
Adults can take two, 500mg tablets, 4 times in 24 hours. You must wait at least 4 hours between doses. Do not take more than 8 tablets in 24 hours.
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.
Yet paracetamol can cause serious or fatal adverse effects at around 150 mg/kg for many adults. There is considerable inter-patient variability which depends on age, health and substances taken with the paracetamol. The level is higher for young children.
The recommended paracetamol dosing for adults and children 12 years and over is 500 to 1000mg every four to six hours as necessary, with a maximum of 4000mg in any 24 hour period.
Choosing the Right Pain Relief for You
Panadol products contain paracetamol; do not take them with other medicines that also contain paracetamol. Paracetamol is in many medicines to treat pain, fever, symptoms of cold and flu, and sleep medicines.
HEPATOTOXICITY RISK FACTORS
While acute liver injury can occur when used at or below the recommended daily maximum dose (4000 mg)[4], paracetamol toxicity is often the result of ingestion of paracetamol over this maximum dose.
Adults aged 18 years and over and the elderly can take 500mg to 1000mg paracetamol (usually one or two 500mg tablets or capsules) every four to six hours, up to four times a day. The maximum dose of paracetamol for an adult is 4 grams in 24 hours. Do not take more than two 500mg tablets or capsules at a time.
5. Can I take painkillers on an empty stomach? Ibuprofen, aspirin and other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) can irritate the stomach lining, so it is best to take them with food, or a glass of milk. Paracetamol doesn't irritate the stomach lining so it won't matter if you haven't eaten.
Adults can usually take 1 or 2 tablets (500mg) every 4-6 hours, but shouldn't take more than 4g (8 x 500mg tablets) in the space of 24 hours. Children under 16 need to take a lower dose, depending on their age or weight – check the packet or leaflet, or ask a pharmacist or doctor for advice.
Its effects usually last for about 4 to 6 hours.
When it comes to relieving pain and fever, paracetamol is a medication that can work really quickly for most people. Usually, it takes around 30 minutes to 1 hour for paracetamol to start working after you take it.
The maximum daily dose of 4 g in any given 24 hour period should not be exceeded as well. Paracetamol is generally a safe, non-prescription pain reliever, but misuse and overdose do occur. This is because so many medications contain paracetamol that it's easy to take too much of the drug without realizing it.
Does paracetamol make you sleepy? Yes. One of the most frequent side effects of paracetamol is exhaustion and fatigue, which causes one to fall asleep more frequently. The acetaminophen or the antihistamine content in the product can provide aid for sleep during nighttime specifically.
Paracetamol works better as a painkiller if taken regularly every 4-6 hours rather than when taken occasionally or as required. The concentration of the drug slowly builds up in the blood stream and in the body tissues when taken regularly therefore giving more pain relief.
If you take too much Paracetamol your liver may not be able to metabolise it efficiently and this could make you extremely unwell. Paracetamol overdose can lead to liver failure in some people and this is why you need to take careful note of this advice.
Those we have tell us that paracetamol use is associated with increased rates of death, heart attack, stomach bleeding and kidney failure. Paracetamol is known to cause liver failure in overdose, but it also causes liver failure in people taking standard doses for pain relief.
Adults, the elderly and children 16 years and over (above 55 kg body weight): Take 500 mg to 1000 mg at a time, up to 3000 mg per 24 hours. The maximum daily dose of Paracetamol must not exceed 3000 mg. Take 500 mg at a time, up to 2000 mg per 24 hours.
Reversing liver damage Liver Basics
For example, an overdose of acetaminophen (Tylenol) can destroy half of a person's liver cells in less than a week. Barring complications, the liver can repair itself completely and, within a month, the patient will show no signs of damage.
Untreated paracetamol poisoning may cause varying degrees of liver injury over the 2 to 4 days following ingestion, including fulminant hepatic failure. Rarely, massive overdose may initially present with coma and severe metabolic acidosis.
Acetaminophen is harder on the liver than ibuprofen. The liver is the main organ responsible for breaking down acetaminophen. When taken occasionally, and at recommended doses (no more than 4,000 mg per day), it shouldn't cause any liver damage.
Long-term paracetamol use could increase the risk of heart disease and strokes in people with high blood pressure, according to research we've funded and published today in Circulation.
have ever had an allergic reaction to paracetamol or any other medicine. have liver or kidney problems. regularly drink more than the maximum amount of alcohol recommended (14 units a week)
Even taking one or two more tablets than recommended can cause serious liver damage and possibly death. Paracetamol overdose is one of the leading causes of liver failure. If you find you need to use paracetamol on a regular basis it is worth consulting your GP. There may be more effective treatment options available.