What is Paracetamol?

What is Paracetamol?

Paracetamol is a medicine. It helps when you have a headache or your body hurts.

You can take it when you feel sick or in pain.

Remember to follow the instructions on the box, or ask an adult for help.

If you have any questions, talk to a doctor or nurse.

How does Paracetamol work?

Paracetamol helps when you have aches or fever.

It works by stopping the messages that tell your brain you are in pain.

Paracetamol also helps to cool your body when you have a fever.

If you find this hard to read, you can ask someone to read it to you.

Listening to information can make it easier to understand.

Does Paracetamol help with swelling?

What is Paracetamol used for?

Paracetamol is a type of medicine. People use it to:

• Help with pain, like a headache or toothache.
• Make a fever go down.

Support tips:

• Ask an adult if you have questions about medicines.
• Use pictures or symbols to help remember what each medicine does.

How much Paracetamol should I take?

Here is some help to read this information:

• Use a ruler under each line to help you keep track.
• Ask someone to read it with you.
• Break down the words and say them out loud.

Does Paracetamol have any side effects?

Paracetamol is a medicine that helps with pain and fever. Sometimes, it can cause other things to happen to your body. These are called side effects.

Most people do not have problems when they take Paracetamol. But some people might feel:

• Sick in the tummy (nausea)
• Pain in the tummy
• A rash or itchy skin

If you feel these things or anything else unusual after taking Paracetamol, tell an adult or see a doctor.

Always take the right amount of medicine. If you have questions, ask a doctor or a pharmacist for help.

Here are some things you can do to help:

• Use pictures to understand which medicine to take.
• Ask someone to read the instructions with you.
• Use a pill organizer to keep track of your medicine.

Can you take paracetamol when you are pregnant?

If you are pregnant, it is important to be careful with medicine. Here is what you need to know:

• Paracetamol is a common pain medicine. It can help with a headache or sore muscles.
• Most people can take paracetamol when they are pregnant. But, it's best to ask your doctor first.
• Always follow the instructions on the medicine box. Do not take more than it says.

Helpful Tips:

• Ask a family member or friend to read the medicine box with you.
• Use a timer to remember when to take your medicine.
• If you have questions, talk to your doctor or a nurse.

Is it okay to take Paracetamol and drink alcohol?

You might wonder if you can take Paracetamol and drink alcohol at the same time. It is important to be careful.

Paracetamol is a medicine that helps with pain and fever.

Alcohol is a drink like beer or wine.

If you take Paracetamol, it is best not to drink alcohol. This is because both Paracetamol and alcohol are hard on your liver. Your liver helps clean your blood. If you use both, it can hurt your liver.

Always ask an adult or a doctor if you are not sure.

You might also like to use a timer to remind you when to take your medicine.

Can kids take paracetamol safely?

Paracetamol is a medicine. It helps when you have pain or a fever. Kids can take paracetamol, but it is important to use the right amount. Always check with a doctor or ask a grown-up to help you.

Here are some tips:

• Use a special tool to measure the dose, like a spoon or syringe from the pharmacy. Do not use a kitchen spoon.
• Follow the instructions on the box or from the doctor.
• If you are not sure, ask a doctor or pharmacist.

Always keep medicines away from children.

What should I do if I take too much Paracetamol?

If you take too much Paracetamol, it is important to get help right away.

You should:

• Tell an adult you trust, like a parent or teacher.
• Call an ambulance or go to the hospital.
• Tell the doctor what you took and how much.

Remember, it is okay to ask for help. You are not alone.

Using a calendar or note app to track when you take medicine can help you remember how much you've taken.

Is it okay to take Paracetamol without eating first?

Yes, you can take Paracetamol even if you have not eaten. But some people find taking it with food can make their tummy feel better.

Helpful tip: You can drink a glass of water after you take Paracetamol. This might help your stomach feel good.

How long before Paracetamol starts to work?

Paracetamol is a medicine.

It usually starts to help in about 30 minutes.

If you have a headache or pain, it might feel better about half an hour after taking it.

Ask an adult to help if you have questions.

It's good to use a timer or clock to check the time!

Is Paracetamol the same as acetaminophen?

Yes, Paracetamol and acetaminophen are two names for the same medicine. Some countries call it Paracetamol, and others call it acetaminophen.

If you're not sure, you can:

• Look at the medicine's label.
• Ask a doctor or pharmacist.

Can I take Paracetamol if my liver is not healthy?

If your liver is not healthy, you should talk to a doctor before taking Paracetamol. It is important to check because Paracetamol can affect your liver.

Here are some tips:

• Ask a doctor: They can tell you what is safe.
• Read the medicine label: It has important information.
• Use a pill organizer: It can help you take the right amount.

Can Paracetamol be taken with other medicines?

It's important to know if Paracetamol is safe to take with other medicines. Consider using:

• Talking to a Doctor or Pharmacist: They can tell you if it’s safe.
• Using Medicine Apps: Some apps can show if medicines go well together.
• Reading Labels Carefully: Labels have important information.

Can Paracetamol Help with Swelling?

Paracetamol is a medicine. It can help when you have a fever or pain.

Swelling is when part of your body gets bigger and sometimes sore.

Paracetamol does not work well for swelling. It is better for pain and fever.

If you have swelling, talk to a doctor about the best medicine.

Remember, always ask an adult for help with medicine.

Can I take Paracetamol every day safely?

Paracetamol is a medicine that helps with pain and fever.

It is okay to take it sometimes when you feel unwell.

But taking it every day might not be good for you.

If you need to take Paracetamol every day, talk to a doctor. They can help you.

Ask someone you trust if you need help reading or understanding this.

Can you get addicted to paracetamol?

Paracetamol is a medicine that helps with pain and fever. It is safe to use as your doctor tells you or as it says on the packet.

Unlike some other medicines, paracetamol does not usually cause addiction. This means you won't feel like you need to take it all the time.

If you are unsure or worried, it's always a good idea to talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Tools to help understand:

• Ask a friend or family member to read with you.
• Use a voice reader app to listen to the information.

What happens if you take too much paracetamol?

Paracetamol is a medicine for pain and fever. But taking too much is dangerous.

Here are some signs if you take too much paracetamol:

• Tummy pain
• Feeling sick or being sick
• Feeling very tired
• Yellow skin or eyes (this is called jaundice)
• Feeling dizzy or confused

If you feel any of these, ask an adult for help. Go to a doctor or phone a health service right away.

It is helpful to have a medicine box with labels. Ask an adult to help you with medicine.

Is it okay to take paracetamol with ibuprofen?