Pharmacy Guide
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Pharmacy Guide
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Paracetamol 500mg Capsules
⚠ This medicine appears to have been discontinued
The electronic medicines compendium (emc) no longer publishes a Summary of Product Characteristics for this product, which usually means it is no longer marketed in the UK. The patient leaflet below is kept for reference, but the product may not be available.
If you were prescribed this medicine, other products containing Paracetamol may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.
What it is and what it is used for
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.
What you need to know before you take it
E 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. During treatment with paracetamol, tell your doctor straight away if: If you have severe illnesses, including severe renal impairment or sepsis (when bacteria and their toxins circulate in the blood leading to organ damage), or you suffer from malnutrition, chronic alcoholism or if you are also taking flucloxacillin (an antibiotic). A serious condition called metabolic acidosis (a blood and fluid abnormality) has been reported in patients in these situations when paracetamol is used at regular doses for a prolonged period or when paracetamol is taken together with flucloxacillin. Symptoms of metabolic acidosis may include: serious breathing difficulties with deep rapid breathing, drowsiness, feeling sick (nausea) and being sick (vomiting). 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. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking:
- flucloxacillin (antibiotic), due to a serious risk of blood and fluid abnormality (called metabolic acidosis) that must have urgent treatment (see section 2). Tell your doctor if you are taking any other 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 If necessary, 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. Important information about some of the ingredients of Paracetamol This medicine contains less than 1mmol sodium (23mg) per dose, that is to say essentially 'sodium free'
How to take it
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 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.
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 Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data):
- A serious condition that can make blood more acidic (called metabolic acidosis), in patients with severe illness using paracetamol (see section 2). 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.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
How to store it
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.
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 sodium lauryl sulfate and is 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 is Zentiva Pharma UK Limited, 12 New Fetter Lane, London, EC4A 1JP, UK The Manufacturer is Zentiva Pharma UK Limited, Office 136-152, Austen House, Station View Units A-J, Guildford, GU1 4AR, UK. or Zentiva Pharma UK Limited, First floor, Andrews House, College Road, Guildford, GU1 4QB, United Kingdom. This leaflet was last revised in January 2025.
Frequently asked questions about Paracetamol 500mg Capsules
How do I take Paracetamol 500mg Capsules?
Paracetamol 500mg Capsules comes as capsule containing 500mg. Always follow the dose your doctor or pharmacist has given you, and read the leaflet that comes with the medicine.
What is the active substance in Paracetamol 500mg Capsules?
The active substance in Paracetamol 500mg Capsules is paracetamol.
Are there equivalent medicines to Paracetamol 500mg Capsules?
Medicines with the same active substance, strength and form include: Boots Paracetamol 500 mg Capsules, Panadol 500 mg Soft Capsule, Paracetamol 500 mg Capsules (PL 43461/0086) (POM). In total there are 7 equivalent products. They are interchangeable only if your prescriber or pharmacist says so.
Where does this information come from?
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Paracetamol 500mg Capsules, as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.
Can I get Paracetamol 500mg Capsules without a prescription?
Whether a medicine is available over the counter or on prescription only depends on its licence. Check the leaflet, or ask your pharmacist — they can tell you straight away.
About this leaflet
The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.
- Source: electronic medicines compendium (emc), Datapharm
- Active substance: paracetamol
- Official document: view the original leaflet on emc →
⚕For healthcare professionals — Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC)Full SmPC: dosage, interactions, contraindications, warnings+
4.1. Therapeutic indications
Paracetamol capsules are recommended for the treatment of headaches including migraine and tension headaches; also for backache, rheumatic and muscle pains, 'nerve pains', toothache, dysmenorrhoea, sore throat and for relieving the fever, aches and pains of colds and flu.
4.2. Posology and method of administration
Posology
Adults, Elderly and Children over 16 years
Two capsules up to 4 times a day. Do not take for more than 3 days without consulting your doctor.
These doses should not be repeated more frequently than every 4 hours and not more than 4 doses should be given in any 24 hour period.
Paediatric population
Not recommended for children under 10 years of age.
Children aged 10 to 15 years
One tablet every four to six hours when necessary to a maximum of four doses in 24 hours. Do not take for more than 3 days without consulting your doctor.
Method of administration
For oral administration
4.3. Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.
4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use
Paediatric population
Not recommended for children under the age of 10 years.
Care is advised in the administration of paracetamol to patients with severe renal or severe hepatic impairment. The hazard of overdose is greater in those with non-cirrhotic alcoholic liver disease.
Do not exceed the recommended dose
Do not take with any other paracetamol-containing products.
If symptoms persist consult your doctor.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Cases of high anion gap metabolic acidosis (HAGMA) due to pyroglutamic acidosis have been reported in patients with severe illness such as severe renal impairment and sepsis, or in patients with malnutrition or other sources of glutathione deficiency (e.g. chronic alcoholism) who were treated with paracetamol at therapeutic dose for a prolonged period or a combination of paracetamol and flucloxacillin. If HAGMA due to pyroglutamic acidosis is suspected, prompt discontinuation of paracetamol and close monitoring is recommended. The measurement of urinary 5-oxoproline may be useful to identify pyroglutamic acidosis as underlying cause of HAGMA in patients with multiple risk factors.
Immediate medical advice should be sought in the event of an overdose, even if you feel well, because of the risk of delayed, serious liver damage.
Excipients
This medicinal product contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per capsule, that is to say essentially 'sodium-free'.
4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
The speed of absorption of paracetamol may be increased by metoclopramide or domperidone and absorption reduced by cholestyramine.
The anticoagulant effect of warfarin and other coumarins may be enhanced by prolonged regular daily use of paracetamol with increased risk of bleeding; occasional doses have no significant effect.
Caution should be taken when paracetamol is used concomitantly with flucloxacillin as concurrent intake has been associated with high anion gap metabolic acidosis due to pyroglutamic acidosis, especially in patients with risks factors (see section 4.4).
4.6. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy
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. A large amount of data on pregnant women indicate neither malformative, nor feto/neonatal toxicity. Epidemiological studies on neurodevelopment in children exposed to paracetamol in utero show inconclusive results. If clinically needed, paracetamol can be used during pregnancy if clinically needed however it should be used at the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time and at the lowest possible frequency.
Breastfeeding
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
Paracetamol has no influence on the ability to drive and use machines.
4.8. Undesirable effects
The information below lists reported adverse reactions, ranked using the following frequency classification:
Very common (≥1/10); common (≥1/100 to <1/10); uncommon (≥1/1,000 to <1/100); rare (≥1/10,000 to <1/1,000); very rare (<1/10,000), not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).
Immune system disorders
Hypersensitivity including skin rash may occur.
Not known: anaphylactic shock; angioedema
Blood and lymphatic system disorders
Not known: blood dyscrasias including thrombocytopenia and agranulocytosis
Skin and subcutaneous disorders
Very rare cases of serious skin reactions have been reported.
Metabolism and nutrition disorders
Not known: high anion gap metabolic acidosis.
Description of selected adverse reactions
High anion gap metabolic acidosis
Cases of high anion gap metabolic acidosis due to pyroglutamic acidosis have been observed in patients with risk factors using paracetamol (see section 4.4). Pyroglutamic acidosis may occur as a consequence of low glutathione levels in these patients.
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product.
Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
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:
• is on long term treatment with carbamazepine, phenobarbitone, phenytoin, primidone, rifampicin, St. John's Wort or other drugs that induce liver enzymes, or
• regularly consumes ethanol in excess of recommended amounts, or
• 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, disseminated intravascular coagulation, haemorrhage, hypoglycaemia, cerebral oedema, gastrointestinal bleeding 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. The effectiveness of the antidote declines sharply after this time. 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 24h from ingestion should be discussed with the NPIS or a liver unit.
Further measures will depend on the severity, nature and course of clinical symptoms of paracetamol intoxication and should follow standard intensive care protocols.
💬 Ask about this leaflet
Ask anything about Paracetamol 500mg Capsules. The assistant answers only from this leaflet — if the leaflet does not cover it, it will say so. It does not give medical advice.
Answers come from the patient leaflet published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). They are not medical advice. Ask a pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure. For urgent help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.
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