Panadol Tablets, Mini Caps (Paracetamol)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Panadol Tablets, Mini Caps Used For?
Panadol contains paracetamol, which provides fast and effective temporary relief from pain and discomfort. It works by stopping pain messages from reaching your brain and also acts in the brain to reduce fever.
Primary Uses
Panadol is used to treat headaches, muscular aches, period pain, arthritis/osteoarthritis, toothache, migraine headache, cold and flu symptoms, tension headache, sinus pain/headache, and backache. It also reduces fever.
How It Works
Paracetamol works to stop pain messages from getting through to the brain. It also acts in the brain to reduce fever.
Good to know: Use the smallest dose that you need to treat your symptoms and use the medicine for the shortest period of time necessary.
How to Take Panadol Tablets, Mini Caps
Always follow the directions on the package or as given by your pharmacist or doctor. Swallow with water or other fluid and do not take more frequently than every 4 hours.
Dosage Instructions
PANADOL Tablets: Adults and children 12+ years: Take 1-2 tablets every 4-6 hours as needed. Maximum 8 tablets in 24 hours. Children 7-12 years: Take ½-1 tablet every 4-6 hours as needed. Maximum 4 tablets in 24 hours. PANADOL Mini Caps: Adults and children 12+ years: Take 1-2 caplets every 4-6 hours as needed. Maximum 8 caplets in 24 hours. Children 7-12 years: Take 1 caplet every 4-6 hours as needed. Maximum 4 caplets in 24 hours. Do not use in children under 7 years.
Duration of Use
Adults: Only take paracetamol for a few days at a time unless your doctor tells you to take it for longer. Children 7-17 years: Only give paracetamol to children for up to 48 hours unless a doctor has told you to give it for longer.
Important: Do not exceed the stated/recommended dose. Do not take more than the recommended dose as it may cause serious harm to your liver.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing or difficulty breathing
- Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body
- Allergic skin reactions such as rash, peeling, itching or hives
- Mouth ulcers
- Unexplained bruising or bleeding
- Symptoms of metabolic acidosis: serious breathing difficulties with deep rapid breathing, drowsiness, feeling sick (nausea), being sick (vomiting) and loss of appetite
Important Warnings
Always read and follow the label. There are important safety considerations before taking Panadol.
Who Should Not Take Panadol Tablets, Mini Caps
Do not use if you are allergic to paracetamol or any ingredients, if you are taking any other medicines containing paracetamol to treat pain, fever, cold and flu symptoms, or to aid sleep, or if the expiry date has passed or packaging is damaged.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you have liver or kidney problems, are underweight or malnourished, regularly drink alcohol, have a severe illness, severe infection including blood infection, are severely malnourished, or are a chronic heavy alcohol user as this may increase the risk of metabolic acidosis.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed. While this product is suitable for use when breastfeeding, you should always consult with your doctor or pharmacist first.
Metabolic Acidosis Risk: Signs of metabolic acidosis include deep, rapid, difficult breathing, feeling sick (nausea), being sick (vomiting), loss of appetite, and drowsiness. Contact your doctor immediately if you think you may be affected.
Drug Interactions
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including vitamins or supplements bought without a prescription.
Serious Interaction: Flucloxacillin (an antibiotic) has a serious risk of blood and fluid abnormality (metabolic acidosis) when taken with paracetamol.
- Warfarin or similar blood-thinning medicines
- Metoclopramide (for nausea and vomiting)
- Medicines used to treat epilepsy or fits
- Chloramphenicol (antibiotic for ear and eye infections)
- Alcohol
- Probenecid (for gout or given with antibiotics)
- Cholestyramine (for high cholesterol)
- Flucloxacillin (antibiotic) – serious risk of metabolic acidosis
Alcohol & Driving
Be careful with alcohol consumption and driving while taking Panadol.
Alcohol
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you drink alcohol. Only drink small quantities of alcohol (beer, wine or spirits) while using paracetamol. Drinking large quantities of alcohol while taking paracetamol may increase the risk of liver side effects.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Panadol affects you.
Storage
Store your medicine in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C for PANADOL Tablets and below 25°C for PANADOL Mini Caps. Keep away from moisture, heat or sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car or on window sills. Keep in the original pack until it is time to take it. Keep out of sight and reach of children. A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
Overdose Information
If you think that you have used too much Panadol, you may need urgent medical attention. Immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26 for Australia, 0800 764 766 for NZ) or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning because of the risk of delayed, serious liver damage/failure if left untreated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Panadol provides fast effective temporary relief of pain and discomfort, though the exact onset time is not specified in the product information.
The product information states to swallow with water or other fluid, but does not specify whether it needs to be taken with or without food.
The product information does not indicate that paracetamol is addictive, but it should only be used for a few days at a time unless your doctor tells you to take it for longer.
Panadol is used for temporary relief as needed, so stopping it should not cause withdrawal symptoms. However, see your doctor if your symptoms do not improve.
Only drink small quantities of alcohol while using paracetamol. Drinking large quantities of alcohol may increase the risk of liver side effects. If you regularly drink alcohol, you may need to avoid using this product altogether or limit the amount of paracetamol you take.
No, do not take any other prescription or non-prescription medicines containing paracetamol while using Panadol to treat pain, fever, cold and flu symptoms, or to aid sleep.
Panadol is taken as needed for pain and fever relief, so missing a dose is not typically a concern. Simply take the next dose when needed, but do not take more frequently than every 4 hours.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.