Panadol Extra

Panadol Extra Uses

Panadol Extra is a painkiller. It works by stopping the production of chemicals that lead to pain in the body. It is a widely used over-the-counter (OTC) medication. Panadol Extra can be used in conditions such as migraine, joint pain, back pain, etc. It can also be taken to reduce fever.

Panadol Extra contains Paracetamol and Caffeine. The addition of caffeine in its formula can help provide extra pain relief in patients with certain types of pain like toothache, headache, and period pain. For this reason your healthcare provider may prescribe this variant over the more common, regular Panadol.

Panadol Extra formula

• Paracetamol
• Caffeine

Available forms

• Tablets

Risks and warnings

You should know the risks and warnings of Panadol Extra to prevent its misuse.

There are some specific circumstances under which the use of certain medications is contraindicated or considered dangerous. So when taking any medicine it's always a good practice to familiarize yourself with its risks and warnings.

The risks and warnings associated with Panadol Extra are:

1. Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Pregnant and lactating women should take painkillers at the discretion of their healthcare provider, as their drug intake has direct implications for their baby.

2. Allergic to Paracetamol

People who are allergic to Paracetamol should not take Panadol Extra. A mild reaction in the form of rash, wheezing etc. can occur, and the reaction can be as grave as anaphylaxis.

In an anaphylactic shock, the blood pressure drops, the throat and tongue start to swell, breathing becomes hard, skin gets rashes, nausea and vomiting ensue. People also get disoriented and get unconscious. If timely medical aid is not given, there can be serious consequences.

3. Liver disease

Panadol Extra can cause liver failure or aggravate it, especially when the tablets are used in greater dosages. Thus, those with complaints of liver disease should consult with their doctor before using Panadol Extra.

4. Skin reaction

Some people can have Steven Johnson syndrome, which is a type of skin reaction that can occur in the aftermath of Panadol Extra consumption. If you have experienced this before, talk to your health care provider for an alternative.

5. Alcohol intake

Alcohol and Panadol Extra both affect the liver. When taken in conjunction, these have a compound effect on the liver. Thus, if you drink more than 3 glasses of alcohol a day, you should take Panadol Extra with caution to prevent liver damage.

6. Glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency

Patients who have glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency must take Panadol Extra with extreme caution, as it can cause hemolysis.

7. Malnutrition

Those people who suffer from long-term malnutrition should not take Panadol Extra casually, but instead, with caution.

8. Dehydration

Patients suffering from fluid loss and dehydration should be administered paracetamol IV with caution.

9. Asthma

Asthmatic patients are advised to be careful with their consumption of Panadol Extra.

How to use Panadol Extra?

• Panadol Extra can be taken with food or on an empty stomach
• It is better to take it with food, since it does not cause or aggravate preexisting cases of gastritis
• Do not use the medicine after the expiration date has passed
• For children, the suggested dosage is 75mg/kg/day, which is to be given after every 4 to 6 hours. The total, however, should not exceed 1g/dose
• In adults, the recommendation is 650mg at intervals of 4-6 hours. The dosage for one day should be capped at 3.25g to 4g

Panadol Extra Side Effects

Following are the common side effects of Panadol Extra:

• Shortness of breath
• Rashes
• Swelling
• Dizziness
• Hives
• Decreased white blood cells
• Decreased red blood cells
• Decreased platelets
• Cough
• Disorientation

Drug Interactions

Panadol too can interact with other drugs. A drug interaction certainly does not mean that you stop taking medicines on your own, but instead seek the advice of your healthcare provider. Following drugs can interact with Panadol:

• Lomitapide
• Tetracaine
• Warfarin
• Flibanserin
• Imatinib
• Isoniazid
• Axitinib
• Mipomersen
• Busulfan
• Dapsone topical
• Eltrombopag
• Exenatide injectable solution and suspension
• Ivacaftor
• Daclizumab
• Lixisenatide

To avoid the dangers or problems that result from drug interactions, you must give a detailed medical history to your health care provider, including any preexisting conditions or diseases, any medicines that you may be taking, whether or not you are pregnant or are nursing your baby, etc. 

Storage Conditions

• Panadol Extra should be kept out of reach and sight of children
• It should be stored at room temperature