Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to paracetamol: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
- low fever with nausea, stomach pain, and loss of appetite;
- dark urine, clay-colored stools; or
- jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
This is not a complete list of paracetamol side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
See also: Side effects (in more detail)
Paracetamol dosing information
Usual Adult Paracetamol Dose for Fever:
General Dosing Guidelines: 325 to 650 mg every 4 to 6 hours or 1000 mg every 6 to 8 hours orally or rectally.
Paracetamol 500mg tablets: Two 500 mg tablets orally every 4 to 6 hours
Paracetamol 500mg tablets: Two 500 mg tablets orally every 4 to 6 hours
Usual Adult Paracetamol Dose for Pain:
General Dosing Guidelines: 325 to 650 mg every 4 to 6 hours or 1000 mg every 6 to 8 hours orally or rectally.
Paracetamol 500mg tablets: Two 500 mg tablets orally every 4 to 6 hours
Paracetamol 500mg tablets: Two 500 mg tablets orally every 4 to 6 hours
Usual Pediatric Dose for Fever:
Oral or Rectal:
<=1 month: 10 to 15 mg/kg/dose every 6 to 8 hours as needed.
>1 month to 12 years: 10 to 15 mg/kg/dose every 4 to 6 hours as needed (Maximum: 5 doses in 24 hours)
Fever: 4 months to 9 years: Initial Dose: 30 mg/kg (Reported by one study (n=121) to be more effective in reducing fever than a 15 mg/kg maintenance dose with no difference regarding clinical tolerance.)
>=12 years: 325 to 650 mg every 4 to 6 hours or 1000 mg every 6 to 8 hours.
<=1 month: 10 to 15 mg/kg/dose every 6 to 8 hours as needed.
>1 month to 12 years: 10 to 15 mg/kg/dose every 4 to 6 hours as needed (Maximum: 5 doses in 24 hours)
Fever: 4 months to 9 years: Initial Dose: 30 mg/kg (Reported by one study (n=121) to be more effective in reducing fever than a 15 mg/kg maintenance dose with no difference regarding clinical tolerance.)
>=12 years: 325 to 650 mg every 4 to 6 hours or 1000 mg every 6 to 8 hours.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Pain:
Oral or Rectal:
<=1 month: 10 to 15 mg/kg/dose every 6 to 8 hours as needed.
>1 month to 12 years: 10 to 15 mg/kg/dose every 4 to 6 hours as needed (Maximum: 5 doses in 24 hours)
Fever: 4 months to 9 years: Initial Dose: 30 mg/kg (Reported by one study (n=121) to be more effective in reducing fever than a 15 mg/kg maintenance dose with no difference regarding clinical tolerance.)
>=12 years: 325 to 650 mg every 4 to 6 hours or 1000 mg every 6 to 8 hours.
<=1 month: 10 to 15 mg/kg/dose every 6 to 8 hours as needed.
>1 month to 12 years: 10 to 15 mg/kg/dose every 4 to 6 hours as needed (Maximum: 5 doses in 24 hours)
Fever: 4 months to 9 years: Initial Dose: 30 mg/kg (Reported by one study (n=121) to be more effective in reducing fever than a 15 mg/kg maintenance dose with no difference regarding clinical tolerance.)
>=12 years: 325 to 650 mg every 4 to 6 hours or 1000 mg every 6 to 8 hours.
What other drugs will affect paracetamol ?
There may be other drugs that can interact with paracetamol . Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
