Paracetamol (Disprol, Panadol, Calpol)

Paracetamol is a painkiller for mild to moderate pain. It can also control high temperatures (fever). It has a number of different brand names – for example Panadol, Disprol and Calpol. Paracetamol may be contained in other medicines such as Anadin and cold remedies like LemSip. In America it is also known as acetaminophen or Tylenol.

Doctors don’t fully understand how paracetamol works. But they think that it blocks the chemical messengers in the brain that tell us we have pain.

You can find out more about cancer and pain control in our section about coping physically with cancer.

You can take paracetamol as

• Tablets
• Capsules
• Soluble tablets
• Special tablets called wafers that dissolve in the mouth
• A syrup that you drink
• Suppositories
• An injection into a vein (only used in hospitals)

You can get paracetamol on prescription or buy it from a pharmacy or other shops, such as your local supermarket. Some shops limit the amount you can buy – for example, a supermarket can only sell packets of 16 tablets. And a pharmacy will normally only allow you to buy 32 tablets at one time.

The dose you take depends on the amount you need to control your pain. You may take paracetamol either to help control mild cancer pain or for other reasons, such as headaches. It can be taken at the same time as other painkillers or in between taking them. Your doctor, pharmacist or nurse will give you instructions about when to take paracetamol and how much to have. The normal dose for adults is 1 to 2 normal strength tablets (500mg to 1,000mg) every 4 to 6 hours. You should not take more than 8 normal strength tablets in 24 hours (4,000mg).

If you take more than the recommended dose of paracetamol it may cause liver damage. If you think you have taken more than the recommended dose, talk to your doctor or nurse as soon as possible. 

Remember that many over the counter medicines contain paracetamol, for example cold and flu remedies. Always check the packets of any other medicines you are taking to find out if they contain paracetamol. If you are taking paracetamol, do not take any other medicine containing paracetamol. Taking too much can cause serious liver damage.

Other side effects from paracetamol are rare and often mild.

A few people have itching or a skin rash when taking paracetamol.

Fewer than 1 in 1,000 people have blood disorders from taking paracetamol. These rare reactions can include a drop in the number of platelets in the blood. Platelets help the blood to clot.

Paracetamol injected into a vein may also cause the side effects below

• Tiredness and weakness in fewer than 1 in 1,000 people
• Low blood pressure in fewer than 1 in 1,000 people
• A temporary change in the way the liver works in fewer than 1 in 1,000 people
• An allergic reaction in fewer than 1 in 10,000 people
• A drop in the number of white blood cells in fewer than 1 in 10,000 people

Not everyone will get these side effects. You may have none or several. A side effect may get worse or better while you are taking the drug. The side effects you have will depend on

• Your general health
• How much of the drug you have (the dose)
• The way you take the drug (for example, tablets or suppository)
• Other drugs you are having

Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist about all your side effects so they can help you manage them. You should have a contact number for your specialist nurse, clinic or ward nurse. You can ring them if you have any questions or problems. They can give you advice or reassure you. If in doubt, call.

Tell your doctor about any other medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbal supplements and other over the counter remedies – some drugs can react together.