Paracetamol is a medicine used for mild to moderate pain. It can be bought over the counter in pharmacies, supermarkets and other shops.

You can also take paracetamol for:

• fever (high temperature)
• stronger pain — used with other pain relievers such as codeine

Paracetamol doesn’t treat the cause of your pain, it just eases the feeling of pain.

Paracetamol can be used for:

• backache
• headache
• migraine
• muscle strains
• period pain
• toothache
• aches and pains due to colds and flu

How does paracetamol work?

Paracetamol has been in use for more than 70 years. The way it works to reduce pain and fever is not fully understood.

Paracetamol begins to ease pain and lower a high temperature about 30 minutes after a dose is taken. Its effects usually last for about 4 to 6 hours.