Panadol Extra Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Panadol Extra Tablet is a film-coated tablet containing paracetamol and caffeine. Paracetamol relieves pain and lowers fever, while caffeine helps make the paracetamol work better. It is used for short-term relief of mild to moderate pain and fever, including headaches, muscle pain, and discomfort from colds and flu. It should not be used in children under 12 years of age.

What is Panadol Extra Tablet

Panadol Extra is a film-coated tablet that contains two active ingredients, paracetamol and caffeine. Paracetamol is a painkiller that also lowers a raised temperature, and caffeine helps make the paracetamol work better. It is used for the short-term relief of mild to moderate pain and fever.

Panadol Extra Tablet uses

• Headache
• Backache
• Muscle pain
• Rheumatic pain
• Neuralgia
• Toothache
• Period pain
• Migraine headache
• Tension headache
• Sinus pain or headache
• Arthritis or osteoarthritis pain
• Sore throat
• Relief of discomfort from colds and flu
• Reducing fever

Benefits of Panadol Extra Tablet

• Provides fast, temporary relief of many types of pain
• Helps reduce a raised temperature (fever)
• Caffeine helps increase the effectiveness of paracetamol

How Panadol Extra Tablet works

Paracetamol stops pain messages from reaching the brain and acts in the brain to reduce fever. Caffeine works on the paracetamol to make it more effective.

Panadol Extra Tablet dosage

Swallow the tablet whole with water or other fluid. It can be taken with or without food. Do not crush or chew the tablet. Do not take more frequently than every 4 hours. Do not use in children under 12 years of age. Always use the lowest effective dose for the shortest time needed to relieve your symptoms. Do not take any other medicines that contain paracetamol at the same time. Avoid too much caffeine in drinks like coffee and tea, as high caffeine intake can cause difficulty sleeping, shaking and an uncomfortable feeling in the chest. If you have a high fever, or if symptoms get worse or last longer than 3 days, see your doctor.

Available forms and strengths

• Film-Coated Tablets

Side effects of Panadol Extra Tablet

Common

• Nausea
• Stomach upset or heartburn
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Nervousness
• Insomnia (sleeplessness)
• Restlessness
• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Palpitations
• Loss of appetite

Serious

• Allergic reactions such as skin rash or itching, sometimes with breathing problems or swelling of the lips, tongue, throat or face
• Skin rash or peeling, or mouth ulcers
• Breathing problems in people who have reacted to aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatories
• Unexpected bruising or bleeding
• Changes in blood tests that measure liver function
• Liver damage
• Fast heartbeat
• Severe dizziness

Warnings and precautions

• Do not take more than the recommended dose, as it may cause serious harm to your liver.
• Do not take Panadol Extra if you have ever had an allergic reaction to paracetamol, caffeine or any of the other ingredients.
• Do not take with any other medicines that contain paracetamol.
• Do not use in children under 12 years of age.
• This medicine contains caffeine. Limit other caffeine-containing products such as tea and coffee while taking it, as too much caffeine can cause sleeplessness, restlessness, anxiety, irritability, headaches, stomach upsets and fast heartbeats.
• Prolonged use except under medical supervision may be harmful. If you have a high fever, or if symptoms get worse or last longer than 3 days, see your doctor.
• Do not use if the expiry date has passed or if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
• Panadol Extra is not recommended during pregnancy unless your doctor advises it. Talk to your doctor before use.
• Panadol Extra is not recommended while breastfeeding unless your doctor advises it. Ask a doctor before use.
• Check with your doctor before use if you have kidney problems.
• Do not use if you have severe liver disease. Check with your doctor before use if you have liver problems, including alcoholic liver disease, or if you take medicines that affect your liver. Do not combine with other paracetamol products to avoid liver damage.
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you drink alcohol. Only drink small amounts of alcohol while using paracetamol, as drinking large amounts may increase the risk of liver side effects. If you regularly drink alcohol you may need to avoid this product or limit the amount of paracetamol you take.
• Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Panadol Extra affects you.

Storage

• Store below 25°C (in a cool, dry place; some packs advise below 30°C).
• Keep away from moisture, heat or sunlight, and do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car or on window sills.
• Store in the original packaging or pack until it is time to take it.
• Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
• Do not use after the expiry date shown on the carton and blisters.
• Do not dispose of medicines in wastewater or household waste; ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines you no longer need, or take it to any pharmacy for safe disposal.

When to see a doctor

• Get immediate medical advice if you take too many tablets, even if you feel well, because of the risk of delayed, serious liver damage. Go to your nearest hospital emergency department or call your local poison control center.
• Stop taking the medicine and tell your doctor immediately if you get an allergic reaction such as skin rash, itching, breathing problems, or swelling of the lips, tongue, throat or face; skin peeling or mouth ulcers; or unexpected bruising or bleeding.
• Contact a doctor immediately if you get a combination of symptoms of metabolic acidosis, such as deep, rapid, difficult breathing, feeling or being sick, and loss of appetite.

Alternatives

• Paracetamol
• Caffeine