Paracetamol: What It Is For and How Long It Takes to Work

Paracetamol is an active ingredient everyone has heard of, but do you really know it well? FarmaciasDirect explains everything you need to know about paracetamol, its uses and effects, so that you can make the most of it for your health and wellbeing.

What is paracetamol and what is it used for?

Paracetamol is a medicine with analgesic and antipyretic properties, which means it helps relieve mild to moderate pain such as discomfort associated with colds and flu, headache, muscular pain, dental pain or lower back pain, and it also reduces fever.

Who can take paracetamol?

It can be taken by adults and children, always bearing in mind that each age and life stage corresponds to a different pharmaceutical form of paracetamol and a different dosage depending on the individual’s weight.

How long does paracetamol take to work?

Paracetamol in tablet form usually takes effect within 30 to 60 minutes after taking it.

Other pharmaceutical forms such as sticks, sachets, fast-release tablets or syrups usually work more quickly.

Paracetamol will also act sooner if it is taken on an empty stomach. When taken with a full stomach, especially after fatty foods, absorption is delayed and it takes longer to work.

The duration of its effect for all pharmaceutical forms is around 4 to 6 hours.

Possible side effects of paracetamol

Paracetamol is a medicine that is usually well tolerated, but like all medicines, it can cause side effects:

Paracetamol can cause side effects affecting the liver, because it is metabolised in this organ, such as raised transaminases and other signs of hepatotoxicity or jaundice.

Paracetamol can also cause low blood pressure, dizziness, disorientation, excitability, allergic reactions, hypoglycaemia or haemolytic disorders.

Is paracetamol anti-inflammatory?

Paracetamol does not have a significant anti-inflammatory action, except in some non-rheumatic conditions and even then not to any major extent. Therefore, it is not considered an anti-inflammatory in the same way as NSAIDs.

Does paracetamol require a prescription?

At present, packs of 10 units, whether in solution, powder or tablets, can be supplied without a prescription. This is because it is considered a treatment for occasional mild to moderate pain or fever.

Larger packs require a prescription because they are considered a chronic treatment.

What do our pharmacists recommend?

Autumn is here to stay, together with the classic flu and annoying colds. And this is where paracetamol plays a key role:

If symptoms such as feeling unwell, fever, headache, nasal congestion and a dry cough are already present, we recommend taking a cold and flu medicine. That is why we recommend always having Frenadol Forte to hand, with a formula containing paracetamol for aches and fever, dextromethorphan for cough, chlorphenamine to treat nasal discharge, and vitamin C.

Paracetamol can help relieve a sore throat, but if you feel it is not enough, you can also use Strepsils lozenges. They are available in different flavours, with and without lidocaine. They help reduce inflammation and pain, while also soothing the throat.