Paracetamol (acetaminophen)

The label describes paracetamol as a short-term medicine for minor aches and pains. These include headache, the common cold, backache, toothache, muscle aches and period cramps.

It is also described as a medicine that temporarily lowers fever.

• Headache
• Common cold aches
• Backache and minor arthritis pain
• Toothache and muscle aches
• Menstrual cramps and fever

The label we reviewed for this tablet does not describe how it works. A label for the injection form says the exact way it relieves pain and fever is not known.

That label says it is thought to act mainly in the central nervous system.

This page covers the US label for paracetamol tablets taken by mouth, with the dosing the label gives for adults and, where the label says so, children.

This is label-level information, not personal advice. Indian pack labels may differ, and your prescriber's instruction always comes first.

For adults and children 12 years and over, the label describes 2 caplets every 6 hours while symptoms last. It says not to take more than 6 caplets in 24 hours unless a doctor directs it.

The label says not to use it for more than 10 days unless a doctor directs it. For children under 12 years, it says to ask a doctor.

• 2 caplets every 6 hours for age 12 and over
• Maximum 6 caplets in 24 hours unless directed
• Do not use beyond 10 days without a doctor
• Under 12 years: ask a doctor

The label warns of severe liver damage if you take more than 4,000 mg of acetaminophen in 24 hours, take it with other acetaminophen drugs, or have 3 or more alcoholic drinks every day.

It says to ask a doctor before use if you have liver disease, and to ask a doctor or pharmacist if you take warfarin. If pregnant or breastfeeding, ask a health professional before use.

Stop use and ask a doctor if pain worsens or lasts more than 10 days, or fever worsens or lasts more than 3 days. Keep out of reach of children.

• Do not exceed 4,000 mg in 24 hours
• Do not use with other acetaminophen products
• Ask a doctor if you have liver disease
• 3 or more alcoholic drinks daily raises liver risk
• Stop if skin reaction occurs
• Overdose needs urgent medical help even without symptoms

• Warfarin
• Any other acetaminophen medicine
• Substances that affect liver enzyme CYP2E1
• Alcohol
• The label says to ask a doctor or pharmacist before use if you take the blood thinner warfarin.
• Do not use it with any other acetaminophen-containing medicine.
• A label for the injection form says long-term use of 4,000 mg a day raised INR in some people on warfarin.
• It also says some liver enzyme-affecting substances may change its liver risk.

No match in this label text. Ask your pharmacist about any medicine you take.

The label text we reviewed gives no storage temperature for this product.

Follow the storage line on your own pack, and keep medicines out of the reach of children.

We did not find paracetamol in the Drugs Rules 1945 Schedule H, H1, X or G rows we checked, so we cannot state its Indian prescription status from our lists. Ask your pharmacist or doctor.

Paracetamol is on the National List of Essential Medicines 2022. Listed forms include: Tablet 500 mg (page 62); Tablet 650 mg (page 62); Oral liquid 120 mg/5 mL (p) (page 62); Oral Liquid 125 mg/5 mL (p) (page 62); Oral Liquid 250 mg/5 mL (p) (page 62).

NPPA lists ceiling prices for scheduled paracetamol formulations. The table shows the rows we found. Check NPPA directly for the current list.

The Jan Aushadhi (PMBJP) list we checked has 12 product rows that mention paracetamol. We did not capture prices for them.

The banned fixed-dose combination list we checked has 118 entries that mention paracetamol. This does not mean the single medicine is banned. Use our checker for a specific combination.

NPPA ceiling prices set the most a seller can charge per unit for the listed formulations, before local taxes. They are ceilings, not the price you will always pay.

Jan Aushadhi lists paracetamol products including Paracetamol Paediatric Oral Suspension IP 125 mg per 5 ml 125 mg per 5 ml; Paracetamol Tablets IP 500 mg 500 mg; Paracetamol 325mg and Dicyclomine Hydrochloride 20mg Tablets 325mg; Paracetamol 325mg and Tramadol 37.5mg Tablets 325mg. We have not shown a price for them. Check the pack and the seller for the actual price.