Paramol Tablets - Pack of 32

Paramol Tablets (Pack of 32) are a pharmacy medicine for the short-term treatment of acute, moderate pain when paracetamol, ibuprofen and aspirin alone have not relieved symptoms.

Each caplet contains two pain-relieving ingredients that work in different ways:

• Paracetamol 500mg: analgesic (pain relief) and antipyretic (reduces fever).
• Dihydrocodeine tartrate 7.46mg: opioid analgesic for enhanced pain relief.

Paramol can be used for short-term relief of pain such as headache, migraine, period pain, toothache and other dental pain, backache, muscular and joint aches and pains, and neuralgia when simpler painkillers have not worked.

Important: This medicine contains dihydrocodeine and should be used for a maximum of 3 days at a time.

Always take this medicine exactly as described in the leaflet or as your pharmacist/doctor has told you.

Take during or after meals, swallowed with water.

Adults and adolescents aged 16 years and over

• Take 1–2 tablets every 4–6 hours as needed.
• Maximum 8 tablets in 24 hours.

Adolescents aged 12–15 years

• Take 1 tablet every 4–6 hours as needed.
• Maximum 4 tablets in 24 hours.

Children under 12 years

• Not recommended.

Use limit (opioid safety)

• Use for no more than 3 days. If you still need pain relief after 3 days, speak to a pharmacist or doctor.

If you take too many

• Seek urgent medical advice immediately. Overdose can be dangerous, even if you feel well (paracetamol can cause delayed serious harm). (See pack leaflet for full guidance.) 

Active ingredients (per tablet):

• Paracetamol 500mg
• Dihydrocodeine tartrate 7.46mg

Other ingredients:

Magnesium stearate, maize starch, povidone, hypromellose, titanium dioxide, macrogol 400.

(Always check the carton for the most up-to-date ingredient list.)

Key warnings

• This medicine contains dihydrocodeine, which can cause addiction if taken continuously for more than 3 days. Stopping after prolonged use may cause withdrawal symptoms.
• If you take painkillers for headaches for more than 3 days, it can make headaches worse.
• May cause drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, blurred/double vision, and can impair mental function. Do not drive or operate machinery if affected.

Do not take Paramol if you:

• Are allergic to paracetamol, dihydrocodeine, or any ingredient.
• Are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Have breathing difficulties.
• Are taking, or have taken in the last 14 days, MAOI antidepressants.
• Are under 18 and have had tonsils/adenoids removed for obstructive sleep apnoea, or you know you metabolise codeine into morphine very rapidly.

Talk to a pharmacist/doctor before use if you:

• Have asthma or respiratory problems, liver/kidney problems, thyroid problems, low blood pressure, prostate enlargement, bowel problems, gallstones, difficulty passing urine, head injury, myasthenia gravis, convulsions, or are elderly.
• Are taking other medicines, especially anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin), anti-sickness medicines (domperidone/metoclopramide), cholesterol medicines (colestyramine), epilepsy medicines, sedatives (including benzodiazepines), SSRIs/SNRIs/tricyclic antidepressants, opioids, or flucloxacillin.

Serious warning (seek urgent help):

Stop taking and get urgent medical help if you develop signs of a serious allergic reaction (swelling of face/lips/tongue/throat, breathing difficulty, severe rash), severe drowsiness or breathing problems, or signs of stomach/bowel obstruction/severe constipation.

Storage

Keep out of the sight and reach of children. Store as directed on the pack. (See leaflet for full storage details.)