Paracetamol 500mg Capsules
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PACKAGE LEAFLET - INFORMATION FOR THE USER
PARACETAMOL 500MG CAPSULES
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains important information for you.
• Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
• If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or your pharmacist.
• This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.
• If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet.
What is in this leaflet:
1. What paracetamol is and what it is used for 4. Possible side effects
2. What you need to know before you take paracetamol 5. How to store paracetamol
3. How to take paracetamol 6. Contents of the pack and other information
1. WHAT PARACETAMOL IS AND WHAT IT IS USED FOR
The name of your medicine is Paracetamol 500mg Capsules (called paracetamol throughout this leaflet). This medicine contains paracetamol. It belongs to a group of medicines called analgesics (painkillers) and is used for the treatment of headaches (including migraine and tension headaches), toothache, nerve pain, backache, muscle pain, joint pain, a sore throat and a period pain) It is also used to lower a high temperature and relieve the symptoms of cold or flu.
2. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU TAKE PARACETAMOL
Do not take paracetamol and tell your doctor if:
• You are allergic to the active substance or any of the other ingredients in your medicine (listed in Section 6)
Signs of an allergic reaction include a rash and breathing problems. There can also be swelling of the legs, arms, face, throat or tongue Children
Paracetamol 500mg Capsules must not be given to children under 10 years of age
Do not take paracetamol if any of the above apply to you. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking paracetamol. Warnings and precautions
Take special care and check with your doctor before taking paracetamol if:
• You have severe kidney or liver problems • You have a liver problem caused by alcohol
If you are not sure if any of the above apply to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine.
Other medicines and paracetamol
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines. This includes medicines obtained without a prescription, including herbal medicines. This is because paracetamol can affect the way some other medicines work. Also, some other medicines can affect the way paracetamol works.
While taking paracetamol you should not take any other medicines which contain paracetamol.
This includes some painkillers, cough and cold remedies. It also includes a wide range of other medicines available from your doctor and more widely in shops.
Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
• Medicines used to thin the blood such as warfarin
• Metoclopramide or domperidone - used to stop you feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting)
• Colestyramine - for lowering blood cholesterol levels
If you are not sure if any of the above apply to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking paracetamol.
Paracetamol with alcohol
You should not drink alcohol whilst taking these capsules. Taking paracetamol with alcohol can increase your chances of getting side effects.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
Talk to your doctor before taking these capsules if:
• You are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or plan to get pregnant
• You are breast-feeding or planning to breast-feed.
Paracetamol can be used during pregnancy. You should use the lowest possible dose that reduces your pain and/or your fever and use it for the shortest time possible. Contact your doctor or midwife if the pain and/or fever are not reduced or if you need to take the medicine more often.
3. HOW TO TAKE PARACETAMOL
Always take paracetamol exactly your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
• Do not take more than the recommended dose
• If you need to use this medicine for more than three days at a time, see your doctor
BACK
Adults and children over 16
• The usual dose of paracetamol is 2 capsules • Swallow the capsules whole with a drink of water
• Wait at least 4 hours before taking another dose • Do not take more than 4 doses in any 24-hour period Use in children aged 10 to 15 years
Take one capsule every four to six hours when necessary to a maximum of four doses in 24 hours.
Use in children under 10
Paracetamol 500mg Capsules should not be given to children under 10 years of age.
If you take more paracetamol than you should
• Talk to a doctor at once if you take too much of this medicine even if you feel well. This is because too much paracetamol can cause delayed, serious liver damage.
• Remember to take any remaining capsules and the pack with you. This is so the doctor knows what you have taken If you forget to take paracetamol
If you forget to take a dose at the right time, take it as soon as you remember. However, do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose. Remember to leave at least 4 hours between doses.
4. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. The following side effects may happen with this medicine:
Stop taking paracetamol and see a doctor or go to a hospital straight away if:
• You get swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, face, lips or throat which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing. You could also notice an itchy, lumpy rash (hives) or nettle rash (urticaria)
This may mean you are having an allergic reaction to paracetamol
• You get serious skin reactions. Very rare cases have been reported.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects gets serious or lasts longer than a few days:
• You get infections or bruise more easily than usual. This could be because of a blood problem (such as agranulocytosis, neutropenia or thrombocytopenia). This side effect has only happened in a few people taking paracetamol
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow card Scheme at: www.mhra.qov.uk/vellowcard. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. HOW TO STORE PARACETAMOL
• Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
• Do not use this medicine after the expiry date shown on the pack. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
• Store your medicine in the original packaging in order to protect from moisture.
• Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
6. CONTENTS OF THE PACK AND OTHER INFORMATION
What Paracetamol 500mg Capsules contain
• The active substance is paracetamol. Each capsule contains 500mg of paracetamol.
The other ingredients are: maize starch and magnesium stearate. The capsule is made of gelatine and coloured with titanium dioxide (E171), erythrosine (E127), yellow iron oxide (E172) and indigo carmine (E132). The ink used to print on the capsules contains shellac, dehydrated alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, butyl alcohol, propylene glycol, sodium hydroxide, povidone and titanium dioxide.
What Paracetamol 500mg Capsules look like and contents of the pack
The capsules are blue and white in colour with “S174” printed in white ink on the capsule.
It contains white powder.
Paracetamol 500mg Capsules come in cartons of 48, 60, 96 and 100 capsules. Not all pack sizes may be sold.
The Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer is
Zentiva, One Onslow Street, Guildford, Surrey, GU1 4YS, UK.
This leaflet was updated in September 2016 “Zentiva” is a registered trademark. © 2016 Zentiva
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