Panadol Extra: Uses, dosages and side effects

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Article written by Pharmacist Cao Thanh Tu - Vinmec Times City International General Hospital
Panadol Extra contains paracetamol which is an antipyretic and analgesic and caffeine which enhances the analgesic effect of paracetamol.

1. What are the effects of Panadol Extra?

It is recommended for the treatment of most symptoms of mild to moderate pain and fever, eg: Headache, migraine, backache, toothache, joint pain, menstrual pain, relief of cold symptoms colds, flu and sore throat.

2. Dosage of Panadol Extra for adults and children

Adults (including the elderly) and children 12 years of age and older: take 1 or 2 tablets every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Maximum daily dose: 8 tablets.
This medicine is not recommended for children under 12 years of age.
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3. How to take Panadol Extra?

For oral use only. No overdose specified. Panadol Extra can be taken on an empty stomach. The lowest dose needed to be effective for the shortest duration of treatment should be used. Duration of self-treatment should not exceed 3 days. If symptoms persist for more than 3 days or get worse or other symptoms appear, do not continue using the medicine unless directed by your doctor.
People with liver or kidney disease, chronic alcoholism, excessive alcohol consumption or a history of alcoholism should consult a doctor before use. Do not drink alcohol and alcoholic beverages while taking the drug because alcohol can increase the toxicity on the liver and kidneys of the drug.
Some people may be allergic to the drug. Therefore, at the first signs of skin rash or any other sign of hypersensitivity, the patient should discontinue use of the drug. People who have experienced serious skin reactions caused by paracetamol should not take the medicine again and when they come to see a doctor, they should inform the medical staff about this problem.
Do not use concurrently with other drugs containing paracetamol because it may lead to an overdose. Using the drug in excess of the recommended dose can cause toxicity on the liver and kidneys with manifestations such as dark urine, clay-colored stools, yellow skin, yellow eyes, more dangerous can lead to death.

Overdose symptoms: Symptoms of poisoning usually appear within the first 24 hours, including nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, pale skin, malaise and sweating. Overdose can lead to complete and irreversible liver necrosis.
Currently on the market there are many medicines containing paracetamol, so it is necessary to be careful when combining Panadol Extra with other drugs to avoid overdose, especially pain relievers, medicines to treat cough symptoms, colds
Avoid taking too much caffeine (eg from coffee, tea and some other canned beverages) while you are taking this medicine. When the recommended dose of paracetamol-caffeine is taken together with a high-caffeine diet, side effects from caffeine overdose such as insomnia, restlessness, anxiety, irritability, headache, gastrointestinal upset, nervous.

4. Side effects when using Panadol Extra

In general, the drug is safe when taken at the recommended dose. Some people may experience the following side effects: dizziness, headache, constipation, insomnia, restlessness, anxiety, digestive upset.
Some of the more serious but very rare side effects are thrombocytopenia, hypersensitivity reactions including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic skin necrosis syndrome, and bronchospasm in aspirin sensitive patients. and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, diclofenac, meloxicam..., liver and kidney failure (especially when used in high doses and for a long time).

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