Common Questions About Paracetamol For Adults

NHS medicines information on common questions about paracetamol.

How does paracetamol work?

Paracetamol seems to work by blocking the chemical messengers in the brain that tell your body that you have pain. It also reduces a high temperature by affecting the chemical messengers in an area of the brain that regulates body temperature.

How long does it take to work?

Paracetamol can take up to an hour to work. It keeps on working for about 5 hours.

Are there any long-term side effects?

It's safe to take paracetamol regularly for many years as long as you do not take more than the recommended dose.

How does paracetamol compare to ibuprofen?

The type of medicine you need to treat your pain depends on what type of pain you have.

Paracetamol and ibuprofen work in different ways, so paracetamol is better than ibuprofen for some types of pain.

Paracetamol is usually best for most types of pain, including headaches and stomach ache. Ibuprofen may be better for period pain or toothache. Some people find ibuprofen better than paracetamol for back pain.

How does paracetamol compare to other painkillers?

If paracetamol does not work, there are other painkillers you can try, including:

• ibuprofen
• codeine
• aspirin

Ibuprofen and similar painkillers are available as creams or gels that you rub on to the part of your body that's painful.

Some painkillers are only available on prescription.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other treatment options that might be more suitable for you, such as exercise or physiotherapy.

Will it affect my contraception?

Paracetamol does not affect any type of contraception, including the combined pill or emergency contraception.

Can I drive or ride a bike?

Taking paracetamol will not affect your ability to drive or cycle.

Can I drink alcohol while taking paracetamol?

Drinking a small amount of alcohol while taking paracetamol is usually safe. Try to keep to the recommended guidelines of no more than 14 units of alcohol a week. A standard glass of wine (175ml) is 2 units. A pint of lager or beer is usually 2 to 3 units of alcohol.

It may not be safe for you to drink alcohol with paracetamol if you have certain health conditions, such as liver problems. Check the leaflet in your medicine packet to find out whether it's safe to drink alcohol when taking paracetamol.

Is there any food or drink I need to avoid?

You can eat and drink normally while taking paracetamol.

You can safely take paracetamol (but not ibuprofen) on an empty stomach.

If you want to find out more about this particular topic you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.