Portugal's medication authority has withdrawn four types of tablets from sale in Portugal with immediate effect, telling people who are using them to consult their doctors straight away. The pills, three of which are versions of paracetamol, are not considered to conform to the system of good manufacturing practices.
Antibiotics are under control, and you definitely need a prescription to buy them. Regarding antibiotics, Portuguese doctors prescribe them very rarely and reluctantly, the European treatment protocol involves very moderate use.
Examples of OTC brands of acetaminophen are Tylenol, Paracetamol, and Panadol. Acetaminophen prescribed by a provider is usually a stronger medicine.
In Portugal, you have to consult a qualified doctor before you can acquire a prescription. Depending on your medical requirements, you will be able to accomplish this by setting up an appointment with a general practitioner or a specialist.
Portugal has not changed the legal status of any drugs. They all remain illegal, however, the offence for possession has been changed from a criminal to a civil one.
Finally, it should be noted that in order to buy medicines in Portugal you must have a medical prescription. This rule does not apply to all medicines, but to the vast majority of them, such as anti-allergic, antibiotics, immuno-suppressants, corticosteroids, stronger painkillers, among others.
In 1998, legislation was introduced restricting pack sizes of paracetamol sold over the counter in an attempt to reduce self-poisonings and paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity.
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.
Panadol – The GlaxoSmithKline brand name for 500g of Paracetamol . This 500g of Paracetamol is common among all of the panadol range and acts as an analgesic (pain relief) and anti-pyretic (decreases temperature). It contains no anti-inflammatory substances.
If you feel unwell, call the Portuguese health service helpline on (+351) 808 24 24 24 (press 9 for English) or go to the nearest health centre or hospital A&E department. Consider carrying an Emergency ID Card to help the health services assist you in an emergency.
It's generally safe and healthy to drink the public tap water across Portugal. Get a water filter such as TAPP 2 to improve the taste and reduce the risk of contaminants. Avoid plastic bottled water in Portugal as most plastic doesn't get properly recycled.
Please note: Portugal does not offer free medical treatment to visitors, and under European Union rules non-EU citizens are required to have travel medical insurance covering emergency medical, hospitalization, and repatriation (including the case of death).
Portugal's medication authority has withdrawn four types of tablets from sale in Portugal with immediate effect, telling people who are using them to consult their doctors straight away.
Calpol is a brand name. Paracetamol is the drug. Paracetamol is widely available in Portugal, and all licensing now is usually EU wide.
You can only buy pain killers at pharmacies.
It's safe to take ibuprofen with paracetamol or codeine. But do not take ibuprofen with similar painkillers like aspirin or naproxen without talking to a pharmacist or doctor.
Panadol Actifast for fast relief
With 2X faster disintegration and absorption than standard paracetamol tablets, Panadol Actifast relieves pain faster.
Taking 1 or 2 extra tablets is unlikely to harm you. Do not take more than 8 tablets in 24 hours. Taking too much paracetamol can be dangerous and you may need treatment.
Each year in Australia around 225 people are hospitalised with liver injury and 50 Australians die from paracetamol overdose, with rates of intentional overdose highest among adolescents and young adults. This decision aims to reduce the harm from intentional overdose.
Drug induced liver injury (DILI) is a common cause of acute liver injury. Paracetamol, also known as acetaminophen, is a widely used anti-pyretic that has long been established to cause liver toxicity once above therapeutic levels.
Paracetamol (brand name: Dymadon, Febridol, Panadol, Panamax, Paralgin, Panadol Osteo) is a common pain killer (analgesic). It can also lower raised body temperature (fever). It is used for relief of fever, headaches, the pain of arthritis and other minor aches and pains, including pain from colds, flu and period pain.
If you are a legal resident in Portugal then you will be able to access healthcare services and have public health insurance. The medical costs are very low for the Portuguese healthcare system, compared to in the UK. Be rest assured that public healthcare services are also very good in Portugal.
Today Portugal's healthcare system ranks 17th in the 2021 World Index of Healthcare Innovation. The total life expectancy for Portugal is 82.47 years in 2022, a 0.22% increase from 2021.
Portugal ranks 25th in the 2023 Health Care Index by Numbeo, meaning that it has one of the best healthcare systems in the world. Healthcare in Portugal is under a hybrid system with excellent public and private services. Private healthcare is relatively affordable compared with other Western European countries.