Paracetamol Capsules 500mg
Out of date information, search anotherSUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS
1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT
PARACETAMOL 500mg CAPSULES Boots Paracetamol 500mg Capsules
2. QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION
Each capsule contains PARACETAMOL 500mg For a full list of excipients, see section 6.1.
3. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM
Hard Gelatin Capsules
Red cap, white body, hard gelatin capsule, containing a white free flowing powder.
4 CLINICAL PARTICULARS
4.1 Therapeutic indications
For the treatment of mild to moderate pain including headaches, migraine, neuralgia, toothache, sore throat, period pains, aches and pains, symptomatic relief of rheumatic aches and pains and of influenza, feverishness and feverish colds.
4.2. Posology and method of administration
For oral administration.
Adults, the elderly and young persons over 12 years:
1 to 2 capsules every 4 hours to a maximum of 8 capsules in 24 hours. The doses should not be repeated more frequently than every four hours and not more than eight capsules should be taken in 24 hours.
Children 6-12 years:
1 capsule every 4 hours to a maximum of 4 capsules in 24 hours.
Children under 6 years of age:
Do not give to children aged under 6 years.
4.3. Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to paracetamol or to any of the other ingredients.
4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use
Care is advised in the administration of paracetamol to patients with severe renal or sever hepatic impairment. The hazards of overdose is greater in those with noncirrhotic alcoholic liver disease.
Excipients methyl parahydroxybenzoate E218 and Propyl parahydroxybenzoate E216 may cause allergic reactions (possibly delayed).
Contains Paracetamol
Do not take with any other paracetamol-containing products.
Do not exceed the stated dose.
Immediate medical advice should be sought in the event of an overdose, even if you feel well.
If symptoms persist for more than 3 days or get worse consult your doctor.
4.5. Interactions with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
Cholestyramine:
The speed of absorption of paracetamol is reduced by cholestyramine. Therefore, the cholestyramine should not be taken within one hour if maximal analgesia is required.
Metoclopramide and Domperidone:
The speed of absorption of paracetamol may be increased by metoclopramide and domperidone. However, concurrent use need not be avoided.
Warfarin:
The anticoagulant effect of warfarin and other coumarins may be enhanced by prolonged regular use of paracetamol with increased risk of bleeding; occasional doses have no significant effect.
Chloramphenicol: Increased plasma concentration of chloramphenicol.
4.6 Pregnancy and lactation
Epidemiological studies in human pregnancy have shown no ill effects due to paracetamol used in the recommended dosage, but patients should follow the advice of their doctor regarding its use.
Paracetamol is excreted in breast milk but not in a clinically significant amount. Available published data do not contraindicate breast feeding.
4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines
None known.
4.8. Undesirable effects
Adverse effects are rare but hypersensitivity including skin rash may occur.
There have been reports of blood dyscrasias including thrombocytopenia purpura, methaemoglobenaemia and agranulocytosis, but these were not necessarily causally related to paracetamol.
4.9. Overdose
Liver damage is possible in adults who have taken 10g or more of paracetamol. Ingestion of 5g or more of paracetamol may lead to liver damage if the patient has risk factors (see below).
Risk Factors:
If the patient
a, Is on long term treatment with carbamazepine, phenobarbitone, phenytoin, primidone, rifampicin, St John’s Wort or other drugs that induce liver enzymes.
Or
b, Regularly consumes ethanol in excess of recommended amounts.
Or
c, Is likely to be glutathione deplete e.g. eating disorders, cystic fibrosis, HIV infection, starvation, cachexia.
Symptoms
Symptoms of paracetamol overdosage in the first 24 hours are pallor, nausea, vomiting, anorexia and abdominal pain. Liver damage may become apparent 12 to 48 hours after ingestion. Abnormalities of glucose metabolism and metabolic acidosis may occur. In severe poisoning, hepatic failure may progress to encephalopathy, haemorrhage, hypoglycaemia, cerebral oedema, and death. Acute renal failure with acute tubular necrosis, strongly suggested by loin pain, haematuria and proteinuria, may develop even in the absence of severe liver damage. Cardiac arrhythmias and pancreatitis have been reported.
Management
Immediate treatment is essential in the management of paracetamol overdose. Despite a lack of significant early symptoms, patients should be referred to hospital urgently for immediate medical attention. Symptoms may be limited to nausea or vomiting and may not reflect the severity of overdose or the risk of organ damage. Management should be in accordance with established treatment guidelines, see BNF overdose section.
Treatment with activated charcoal should be considered if the overdose has been taken within 1 hour. Plasma paracetamol concentration should be measured at 4 hours or later after ingestion (earlier concentrations are unreliable).
Treatment with N-acetylcysteine may be used up to 24 hours after ingestion of paracetamol, however, the maximum protective effect is obtained up to 8 hours post-ingestion.
If required the patient should be given intravenous N-acetylcysteine, in line with the established dosage schedule. If vomiting is not a problem, oral methionine may be a suitable alternative for remote areas, outside hospital. Management of patients who present with serious hepatic dysfunction beyond 24 h from ingestion should be discussed with the NPIS or a liver unit.
5 PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties
ATC code: N02B E01 Mechanism of Action/ Effect
Analgesic - the mechanism of analgesic action has been fully determined. Paracetamol may act predominantly by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis in the central nervous system (CNS) and to a lesser extent, through a peripheral action by blocking pain- impulse generation.
The peripheral action may also be due to inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis or to inhibition of synthesis or actions of other substances that sensitise pain receptors to mechanical or chemical stimulation.
Antipyretic- paracetamol probably produces antipyresis by acting centrally on the hypothalamic heat - regulation centre to produce peripheral vasodilation resulting in increased blood flow thorough the skin, sweating and heat loss. The central action probably involves inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis in the hypothalamus.
5.2. Pharmacokinetic properties
Absorption and Fate
Paracetamol is readily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract with peak plasma concentrations occurring about 30 minutes to 2 hours after ingestion. Plasma protein binding is negligible at usual therapeutic concentrations but increases with increasing concentrations. The elimination half-life varies from about 1-4 hours. Paracetamol is metabolised predominantly in the liver and excreted in the urine mainly as the glucuronide and sulphate conjugates. Less than 5% is excreted as unchanged paracetamol.
A minor hydroxylated metabolite which is usually produced in very small amounts by mixed function oxidases in the liver and kidney which is usually detoxified by conjugation with liver glutathione, may accumulate following paracetamol overdosage and cause liver damage.
5.3. Preclinical safety data
There are no preclinical data of relevance to the prescriber which are additional to that already included in other sections of the SPC.
PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS
6.
6.1. List of excipients
Pregelatinised maize starch Magnesium stearate Sodium laurilsulfate
Capsule shell:
Titanium dioxide E171 Erythrosin E127 Quinoline yellow E104 Patent Blue V E131 Gelatin
Methyl parahydroxybenzoate E218 Propyl parahydroxybenzoate E216
6.2. Incompatibilities
Not applicable 6.3 Shelf life
36 months
6.4. Special precautions for storage
Do not store above 25 °C. Store in the original package in order to protect from moisture.
6.5. Nature and contents of container
Child resistant blister packs comprised of 20pm hard aluminium foil laminated to 15pm rigid PVC, and 250pm PVC. Pack sizes of 6, 8, 10, 12, 16 capsules.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
6.6. Instruction for use and handling (and disposal)
No special requirements.
7. MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER
Bristol Laboratories Ltd,
Unit 3, Canalside,
Northbridge Road,
Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, HP4 1EG
8. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER
PL 17907/0048
9 DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE AUTHORISATION
08/03/2011
10 DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT
25/07/2014