Paracetamol is made by many different pharmaceutical manufacturers, with each giving their product a different brand name. In some countries, paracetamol is known as acetaminophen.
The packaging should state whether the product contains paracetamol or not, and how much. This will usually be in milligrams (mg). For example, one paracetamol tablet may contain 500mg of paracetamol.
Paracetamol with other medicines
In some products, paracetamol is combined with other ingredients. For example, it may be combined with a decongestant (a type of medicine that provides short-term relief for a blocked nose) and sold as a cold and flu remedy.
Paracetamol may also be combined with other painkillers in medicines, such as:
- co-codamol (paracetamol and codeine)
- co-dydramol (paracetamol and dihydrocodeine)
- Tramacet (paracetamol and tramadol)
Types of paracetamol
Paracetamol is available as:
- tablets
- caplets
- capsules
- soluble tablets (these dissolve in water, which you then drink)
- an oral suspension (liquid medicine)
- suppositories, which are inserted into your anus (the opening through which waste leaves your body)
Some types of paracetamol, such as liquid forms of paracetamol, are aimed specifically at children.
