Boots Paracetamol 500 mg Capsules

This medicine is available without prescription, however, you still need to use this product carefully to get the best results from it. Keep this leaflet as you may need to read it again. Ask your pharmacist if you need more information or advice.

• paracetamol which is a pain reliever (analgesic) and helps reduce your temperature when you have a fever.

These capsules are for the relief of mild to moderate pain including headache, migraine, toothache, nerve pain, sore throat and period pains. They are also for the symptomatic relief of sprains and strains, rheumatic pains, sciatica, lumbago, fibrositis, muscular aches and pains, joint swelling and stiffness, flu, feverishness and feverish colds.

• are allergic to paracetamol or any of the other ingredients.

• are breastfeeding
• suffer from kidney or liver problems, including alcoholic liver disease
• are alcohol dependent.

During treatment with this medicine, tell your doctor straight away 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).

If necessary, Paracetamol 500mg Capsules 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.

• medicines to treat high cholesterol levels which reduce the amount of fat in the blood such as colestyramine
• medicines to control feeling sick or being sick such as metoclopramide or domperidone
• carbamazepine, a medicine used to treat epilepsy and bipolar disorder
• medicines called anti-coagulants, which are used to thin the blood such as warfarin or other coumarins - you may take occasional doses of paracetamol but should consult your doctor if you need to take it on a regular basis
• flucloxacillin (antibiotic), due to a serious risk of blood and fluid abnormality (called metabolic acidosis) that must have urgent treatment (see section 2).

Do not take anything else containing paracetamol while taking this medicine.

Sodium: This medicinal product contains less than 1 mmol (23 mg) per 2 capsules, that is to say essentially sodium-free.

2 capsules to be taken every 4 to 6 hours, as required. Do not take more than 4 doses (8 capsules) in any 24 hour period.

1 capsule to be taken every 4 to 6 hours, as required.

Do not take more than 4 doses (4 capsules) in any 24 hour period.

Do not give to children under 12 years.

The dose should not be taken more frequently than every 4 hours. Do not take for more than 3 days unless instructed by your doctor.

Do not take more medicine than the label tells you to.

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

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.

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 at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.