Paracetamol is the generic name for a medicine that you can buy over the counter to treat mild to moderate pain and fever. In the United States and Japan, it is also known as acetaminophen. You can buy paracetamol or acetaminophen from different brands like Tylenol and Cipladon, depending on where in the world you are.

Paracetamol is the painkiller that doctors most often recommend. Although it was first made in 1878, it only became popular with doctors in the 1950s. Scientists are not exactly sure how it works. They think that it blocks the chemical pain messengers in the brain and that it affects the chemical messengers to the hypothalamus.¹

An increase in body temperature, or fever, is the way in which our immune systems fight infections. The hypothalamus, in the brain, is an “internal thermostat”, that usually makes sure that our temperatures stay normal – around 37°C.²

 

What conditions can you use paracetamol for?

You can use paracetamol to treat mild to moderate pain associated with fever as well as for the ailments we discuss below:

Pains and aches due to everyday colds and flu

As we have already said, paracetamol is the go-to pill that you can buy over the counter (it’s an OTC medicine) for mild to moderate pain and fever. It’s handy to have a little pack of paracetamol, like Cipladon, in the medicine chest for that tension headache at the end of a long day at work. It’s a useful stand-by in case you develop pain due to a sore throat or a mild temperature that signals a cold or flu.

For what other conditions can you use paracetamol?

Paracetamol will also help with mild pain that you might experience with –

• Backache, joint and muscle pain
• Toothache
• Period pain
• Relieve the aches, pains, and fever associated with colds and flu

 

When else could the doctor prescribe paracetamol?

As people get older, they get sore joints, and the doctor may diagnose this as arthritis. If the pain is not too bad, s/he will recommend that the patient takes paracetamol.³

After medical procedures in a hospital, surgeons may prescribe paracetamol to help with the patient’s pain. In these cases, the drug is given by injection in the medical facility.⁴

 

Doctors do NOT always recommend paracetamol

Paracetamol is –

• not used to treat acne. Your doctor may prescribe paracetamol for the pain that comes with acne. Neither aspirin nor paracetamol will cure pimples.⁵
• not generally recommended for pets because it could damage their livers. If the veterinarian prescribes paracetamol for your pet, make sure that you give them the exact dosage.⁶

 

Warnings

Although paracetamol is one of the safest analgesics and antipyretics, like all medicines you should only take it when you really need to.⁷

1. Do not take more than the recommended or prescribed dosage (more information below).
2. Do not take paracetamol if you’re taking other medicine because they might also contain paracetamol or acetaminophen. Cold and flu remedies often include paracetamol and taking them together could mean that you take too much (overdose).
3. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, ask your doctor before you take paracetamol.
4. If you are on a blood thinner like warfarin, check with your doctor before taking paracetamol as you could have a reaction.
5. If you drink a lot of alcohol – more than two to three drinks a day – and have a liver condition, try to  avoid taking paracetamol and alcohol as it could damage your liver.

Although paracetamol is very safe, some people can develop allergic reactions. You can find out more about Prescription Information.

 

Paracetamol tablets, syrup and pills

You can buy paracetamol in a range of preparations or formulations:⁸

• effervescent paracetamol tablets
• tablets or pills that you swallow whole with a drink of water
• tablets that you chew
• a liquid or syrup that is usually prescribed for children who haven’t learnt how to swallow a tablet
• suppositories are capsules that the patient puts up their back passage or rectum
• injections which are only given by medical practitioners

Click here for general information about paracetamol dosages.

 

Cipladon is a smart choice: f-f-fizzy, f-f-faster pain relief

Cipladon is an effervescent paracetamol tablet that comes in two strengths, 1000mg and 500mg tablets. Both dissolve in water to make a fizzy drink. This not only makes for faster pain relief but it’s much easier to take. This makes for easier dosing, especially for children who have difficulty swallowing a tablet.

Prescribed Cipladon dosage amounts

Cipladon for adults

Adults can take between 500 and 1000 mg of Cipladon, dissolved in a small glass of water, for pain and fever. The doses should be at least 4 hours apart. You can take a maximum of 4 doses in a 24-hour period.⁹

Cipladon 500 for children

Children from 8 years and up can safely take Cipladon 500. Children between 8 and 12 years old, can take ½ – 1 tablet dissolved in water.

Remember: Children should not be given paracetamol for more than 3 days without consulting a health care professional.¹⁰

The doses should be at least 4 hours apart and children can be given a maximum of 4 doses in a 24-hour period.

• Cipladon 500 is the perfect solution for children who are too old for syrup and too young for tablets: no more fighting, and no more spitting pills out!
• Cipladon 500 means that children who are anxious about swallowing big pills are more likely to take their medicine when it is a sugar-free, fizzy drink.

In short: Cipladon is easy to give or take, tastes great and relieves pain and fever f-f-faster!

The fizz works!

 

Disclaimer: The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.

Sources:

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1. France, N., (Reviewer). 2022. Paracetamol.  Drugs.com [Online] Available from <https://www.drugs.com/paracetamol.html>15/08/2022
2. How the hypothalamus regulates body heat. Encyclopaedia Britannica [Online] Available from <https://www.britannica.com/video/180016/fevers-hypothalamus-body-role-temperature> 03/08/2022
3. Joint pain.  National Health Service UK [Online] Available from <https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/joint-pain/> 24/05/2022
4. Gousheh, S. M., Nesioonpour, S., Javaher Foroosh, F., Akhondzadeh, R., Sahafi, S. A., & Alizadeh, Z. (2013). Intravenous paracetamol for postoperative analgesia in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Anesthesiology and pain medicine, 3(1), 214–218. [Online] Available from <https://doi.org/10.5812/aapm.9880>  15/08/2022
5. Cherney, K. & Seladi-Schulman, J; Cobb, C (Reviewer) 2020. Can Aspirin Treat Acne? Healthline Media [Online] Available from <https://www.healthline.com/health/aspirin-for-acne> 15/08/2022
6. Can I give Human Painkillers to my Pet? Willows Veterinary Centre and Referral Service [Online] Available from <https://willows.uk.net/specialist-services/pet-health-information/anaesthesia/can-i-give-human-painkillers-to-my-pet/> 15/08/2022
7. Fookes, C., 2021.  Paracetamol: 7 things you should know. Drugs.com [Online] Available from <https://www.drugs.com/tips/paracetamol-patient-tips> 15/08/2022
8. Paracetamol – Tests & treatments. National Health Service Inform, Scotland [Online] Available from <https://www.nhsinform.scot/tests-and-treatments/medicines-and-medical-aids/types-of-medicine/paracetamol> 16/08/2022
9. Paracetamol for adults. National Health Services [Online] Available from <https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/paracetamol-for-adults/> 19/05/2022
10. Paracetamol for children. National Health Services [Online] Available from <https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/paracetamol-for-children/> 26/04/2022