Boots Paracetamol 500mg Caplets

Patient Leaflet Updated 04-Jan-2022 | THE BOOTS COMPANY PLC

Boots Paracetamol 500 mg Tablets (32 Caplets)

Information for the user

Boots Paracetamol 500 mg Caplets

Read all of this leaflet carefully because it contains important information for you.

This medicine is available without prescription to treat minor conditions. However, you still need to take it carefully to get the best results from it.

  • Keep this leaflet, you may need to read it again.
  • If you have any further queries, ask your doctor or 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. See section 4.

What this medicine is for

This medicine contains Paracetamol which belongs to a group of medicines called analgesics and antipyretics, which act to relieve mild to moderate pain and reduce fever.

These caplets are for effective relief from: mild to moderate pain including headache, migraine, sharp nerve pain (neuralgia), toothache, sore throat, period pains, aches and pain, symptomatic relief of rheumatic aches and pains, influenza symptoms, feverishness and feverish colds.

Before you take this medicine

This medicine can be taken by adults and children aged 10 years and over. However, some people should not take this medicine or should seek the advice of their pharmacist or doctor first.

Do not take:
  • If you are allergic to paracetamol or any of the other ingredients
    Take special care and talk to a pharmacist or your doctor before taking this medicine if you are:
    • suffering from liver or kidney disease (including alcoholic liver disease) or G-6-PD deficiency (an hereditary condition leading to low red blood cell counts).

Taking other medicines

Do not use this medicine if you are taking medicines that reduce the clotting of the blood (e.g. warfarin). Talk to your doctor or a pharmacist if you are taking some antibiotics (chloramphenicol), anti-sickness treatments (metoclopramide, domperidone), some treatments for diarrhoea caused by gall bladder disease, or lipid lowering drugs (cholestyramine).

Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.

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.

Small amounts of paracetamol pass into breast milk. This medicine may be taken, as instructed in the section 'How to take this medicine', by mothers who are breastfeeding.

Driving and using machines

Paracetamol is not known to cause any effects on the ability to drive and use machines.

Paracetamol Caplets contain sodium metabisulfite
  • Paracetamol caplets contain sodium metabisulfite which may rarely cause severe hypersensitivity reactions and bronchospasm (breathing difficulties).

Information on sodium content

This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per caplet, that is to say essentially ‘sodium-free’.

How to take this medicine

Check the foil is not broken before use. If it is, do not take that caplet.

Adults, the elderly and children 16 years and over: Take one to two caplets every 4 to 6 hours, if you need to. Don’t take more than 8 caplets in any 24 hours.

Children of 10 to 15 years: Take one caplet every 4 to 6 hours, if you need to. Don’t take more than 4 caplets in any 24 hours.

Do not take more often than every 4 hours.

Swallow each caplet with water.

The break-line is only there to help you break the tablet if you have difficulty swallowing it whole.

Do not give to children under 10 years of age.

Do not take anything else containing paracetamol while taking this medicine

Do not give to children for more than 3 days, unless your doctor tells you to.

Do not take more than the amount recommended above.

If you do not get better, talk to your doctor.

If you take too many caplets: 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.

Go to your nearest hospital casualty department. Take your medicine and this leaflet with you.

Possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

You can reduce the chances of experiencing side effects by using the minimum dose required. Side effects may be more serious in elderly patients.

If you experience any of the following serious effects STOP taking this medicine immediately and contact your doctor or pharmacist:
  • Severe allergic reactions: difficulty breathing, skin rash, swollen facial features or a runny nose
  • Very rare cases of serious skin disease reactions have been reported. Symptoms could include skin reddening, blisters and rash.

Other possible side effects

If any of the following side effects get serious, or if you notice any side effect not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist:

  • Occasionally the blood does not clot well, which may result in easy bruising or bleeding.
  • Rarely, a severe reduction in the number of white blood cells, which makes infections more likely.
  • Other rare side effects like shortness of breath.

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme website: ww.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 this medicine

Do not store above 25°C.

Store in the original package in order to protect from moisture.

Keep this medicine in a safe place out of the sight and reach of children, preferably in a locked cupboard.

Use by the date on the end flap of the carton.

What is in this medicine

Each tablet contains Paracetamol 500 mg, which is the active ingredient.

As well as the active ingredient, the tablets also contain pregelatinised maize starch, sodium metabisulfite (E223), magnesium stearate.

The pack contains 16 or 32 white, capsule shaped tablets with a break-line on one side and plain on the other side.

Who makes this medicine

Manufactured for

The Boots Company PLC
Nottingham
NG2 3AA

by the Marketing Authorisation holder

Bristol Laboratories Ltd
Unit 3 Canalside
Northbridge Road
Berkhamsted
Hertfordshire
HP4 1EG

Leaflet prepared November 2021

If you would like any further information about this medicine, please contact

The Boots Company PLC
Nottingham
NG2 3AA

Artwork number: - PIL R1 _ WBA_2192_Paracetamol 500 mg Caplets _ Leaflet_3674835_lo

Company Contact Details
THE BOOTS COMPANY PLC
Address

1 Thane Road West, Beeston, Nottingham, NG2 3AA

Fax

+44 (0)1159 592 565

Telephone

+44 (0)1159 595 165