Paracetamol is one of the great multitools of the kitchen cupboard. It’s used to help soothe the burning pains of a hangover the morning after. The medication is used to help ease the pain of minor injuries. And it’s used to help reduce the symptoms of that cold you catch in the middle of winter.
According to the NHS, you shouldn’t have paractemaol if you’re also taking the blood thinner warfarin.
This because the paracetamol can increase your risk of bleeding if you take it often.
You shouldn’t take it at the same time you take medicine to treat your epilepsy either.
And neither should you take it if you’re also taking medicine to treat tuberculosis.
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These are the medicines which you should not, the NHS says, take at the same time as paracetamol.
Some are less clear cut, herbal remedies for example.
It’s recommended that you check with your GP or pharmacist if you’re taking St John’s wort (herbal remedy for depression).
In this case you may need to reduce your paracetamol dose.
You should seek medical attention if you experience any of these side effects from paracetamol:
• Skin rash that may include itchy, red, swollen blistered or peeling skin
• Wheezing
• Tightness in the chest or throat
• Trouble breathing or talking
• Mouth, face, lips, tongue or throat start swelling.
This is not the full list of potential side effects; for more information, check the information sheet that comes with the paracetamol.