Medicine
Fact-checked

At WiseGEEK, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

What Are the Uses of Paracetamol?

M.C. Huguelet
M.C. Huguelet

Paracetamol, known as acetaminophen in North America and parts of Asia, is a drug which can provide relief from mild pain and fever. The primary uses of the drug are reducing fever and alleviating pain from headaches, menstrual cramps, toothaches, and minor injuries. It is also sometimes included in multi-symptom cold and flu products. Since the drug may not be effective in reducing moderate to severe pain, it is often recommended only for relief from minor discomfort.

As an analgesic drug, paracetamol provides pain relief by temporarily inhibiting the body’s pain receptors. It is also an antipyretic drug, which means it has fever-reducing properties. This combination of pain- and fever-fighting abilities makes the drug useful in relieving a number of minor ailments.

Paracetamol is an antipyretic drug that can reduce fever.
Paracetamol is an antipyretic drug that can reduce fever.

One of the most common uses of paracetamol is fever reduction. To use this drug for fever-reducing purposes, take it according to the instructions printed on the product’s packaging. Be sure to adjust the dosage accordingly for children younger than 12. Additionally, it should be noted that research has suggested that a low fever may in fact help the body fight infection. Therefore, paracetamol or other antipyretics may be needed only for fevers that exceed 101 degrees Fahrenheit (38.3 degrees Celsius).

Paracetamol can be paired with a decongestant to help fight allergy symptoms.
Paracetamol can be paired with a decongestant to help fight allergy symptoms.

Paracetamol can also provide temporary relief from many kinds of minor pain. For instance, it is often used to ease menstrual cramps, headaches, and toothaches as well as simple bumps, bruises, and muscle aches. While the drug can inhibit the body’s ability to detect pain, it has very weak anti-inflammatory properties. Thus it is generally not a good choice for those hoping to reduce discomfort caused by inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis.

Paracetamol is often used to alleviate pain from menstrual cramps and headaches.
Paracetamol is often used to alleviate pain from menstrual cramps and headaches.

In addition to these common uses, the drug is also sometimes included in products intended to treat multiple symptoms of an illness such as a cold or flu. For instance, a multi-symptom cold medication may contain a decongestant to reduce stuffiness, an antihistamine to combat itchy, watery eyes, and paracetamol to ease muscle aches. In order to avoid double-dosing, those taking a multi-symptom product should consult the ingredient list before taking another paracetamol product.

Paracetamol eases minor pains like toothaches.
Paracetamol eases minor pains like toothaches.

Many people find that paracetamol is useful only for relieving minor pain. Those with moderate pain or with discomfort caused by an inflammatory condition may find that ibuprofen or naproxen are more effective. For very severe pain, such as that resulting from a car accident or major surgery, a prescription-strength analgesic may be necessary.

Discussion Comments

SarahGen

@turquoise-- Isn't tendinitis inflammation of tendons?

The article mentioned that paracetamol isn't the best for inflammation. Paracetamol is acetaminophen which is an analgesic, not an NSAID. NSAID stands for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug and includes drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen. Analgesics are just pain relievers.

You can take paracetamol tablets for the pain, but you also need an anti-inflammatory drug. Since most NSAIDs also have pain-relieving effects, you might as well just take an NSAID.

turquoise

Does paracetamol work for tendinitis?

discographer

I take pracetamol once a month, during my menstrual period. I try to avoid taking pain relievers often because I know they can cause problems in the long term. I always have cramps and pain the first day of my period. So I take half a pracetamol tablet for the pain. If after a half hour, the pain is still there, I take the other half.

That's about the extent of my pain reliever use.

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • Paracetamol is an antipyretic drug that can reduce fever.
      By: Ocskay Bence
      Paracetamol is an antipyretic drug that can reduce fever.
    • Paracetamol can be paired with a decongestant to help fight allergy symptoms.
      By: nebari
      Paracetamol can be paired with a decongestant to help fight allergy symptoms.
    • Paracetamol is often used to alleviate pain from menstrual cramps and headaches.
      By: Dragos Iliescu
      Paracetamol is often used to alleviate pain from menstrual cramps and headaches.
    • Paracetamol eases minor pains like toothaches.
      By: Lsantilli
      Paracetamol eases minor pains like toothaches.
    • Ingesting an excessive amount of paracetamol may cause severe liver damage.
      By: acherst
      Ingesting an excessive amount of paracetamol may cause severe liver damage.