Paracetamol comes as:

Paracetamol comes as:

tablets, caplets (torpedo-shaped tablets that may be easier to swallow) or capsules for swallowing a powder or tablet to dissolve in water, or a liquid/syrup forma suppository, for inserting into the rectum (back passage)You can buy paracetamol from pharmacies in packs of 32 tablets. You don't need a prescription.

For safety reasons, you can't buy more than 100 tablets at any one time from a pharmacy. In other shops, such as supermarkets or convenience stores, the packs contain a maximum of 16 tablets. It's crucial that you don't take more paracetamol than the dose recommended on the packet.

Over-the-counter painkillers - ones you buy without a prescription - are only meant to be taken occasionally. If you have to take painkillers for more than three days you should ask your GP or pharmacist about what to take and what else might help. Taking painkillers too often or for too long may make headaches worse.

It's always best to get advice from your GP if you need daily pain relief. Many GPs advise using paracetamol for problems such as painful joints.

Always read the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine.

Avoiding accidental overdose

Paracetamol comes as tablets, but it is also contained in several other over-the-counter cold and flu remedies, such as powders that you make up into flavoured hot drinks (eg Lemsip). Make sure you count the paracetamol in all the medicines you have taken.

Children and paracetamol

The dose for a child depends on their age and weight and is clearly given on the medicine's container. On a doctor or nurse's advice, you can give paracetamol to young babies after they have had vaccinations, but otherwise it's not recommended for babies under three months old. Syrups containing paracetamol (eg Calpol) can be easier for younger children to take. The children's version of paracetamol syrup contains 120mg of paracetamol per 5ml (teaspoon). Sugar-free versions are available.

Special care

Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking paracetamol if: you know that your kidneys or liver are not working properly you are a very heavy drinker (both paracetamol and alcohol can harm the liver)you are malnourished

If you're pregnant

As with any drug, it's always wise to discuss your situation with your pharmacist or doctor. However, in general, paracetamol is not known to be harmful in pregnancy.

If you're breastfeeding

Very little paracetamol gets into breast milk so experts say that it's usually safe for nursing mothers to take it.

Side-effects

When taken at the recommended dose, side-effects of paracetamol are rare. Skin rashes, blood disorders and a swollen pancreas have occasionally happened in people taking the drug on a regular basis for a long time.

One advantage of paracetamol over aspirin and similar drugs (eg ibuprofen and diclofenac) is that it won't upset your stomach or cause it to bleed.

A paracetamol overdose is particularly dangerous because the liver damage may not be obvious for four to six days after the drug has been taken. Even if someone who has taken a paracetamol overdose seems fine and doesn't have any symptoms, it's essential that they are taken to hospital urgently. An overdose of paracetamol can be fatal.

Interactions with other medicines

Check with your doctor or pharmacist before you take any other medicines or herbal remedies at the same time as paracetamol.

You may need to adjust your usual dose of anticoagulants (eg warfarin) if you take paracetamol regularly. Check with your anticoagulation clinic. Otherwise there are no serious interactions between paracetamol and other drugs