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Just a few questions from our Pharmacist before you checkout to make sure this medicine is safe for you.
Product & Safety Notice
Buy Paramol (paracetamol/dihydrocodeine tablets)
Paramol is an over-the-counter painkiller, suitable for adults and children over the age of 12. As a pain relief medication it helps to ease acute, moderate pain when standard ibuprofen or paracetamol haven’t worked, like muscular pain, migraines and dental pain.
Paramol ingredients
Paramol contains a combination of paracetamol (500mg) and dihydrocodeine tartrate (7.46mg), making it stronger than your average over-the-counter painkiller.
Dihydrocodeine tartrate is an opioid analgesic (painkiller) which means that it does have the risk of addiction. Because of this, you should not take this medication for more than three days at a time.
Paracetamol helps manage pain by blocking the chemical messengers in your brain and spine that amplify pain signals. Dihydrocodeine relieves pain by blocking signals from your central nervous system to the brain.
What are Paramol tablets used for?
Paramol tablets should be used for short-term relief of moderate pain, only when standard painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen alone have no worked. The types of acute pain that it can help relieve include:
- headaches and migraines
- dental pain (including toothache)
- period pain
- muscular aches and pains
- backache
- rheumatic pain (joint, muscle and tissue pain)
How to take Paramol tablets
Taking Paramol is relatively simple. You should always swallow the tablets whole with a drink of water (do not crush them). You can take them with or without food.
Some tablets may have a line down the middle to help break them into two halves if you have trouble swallowing medicine. If you split your tablet, make sure you still take each half.
You should always follow the dosage instructions on the pack and the patient information leaflet. Dosage varies according to age.
For adults and young people aged 16 and over:
- You can take 1-2 tablets, up to four times in 24 hours.
- Always leave at least four hours between doses.
For children aged 12 to 15 years old:
- Take one tablet every 4-6 hours.
- Do not take more than 4 tablets in any 24 hour period.
How long do Paramol tablets take to work
Paramol generally starts to take effect within 30 to 60 minutes after you’ve taken it, but this can vary depending on if you’re hydrated or have a full stomach. Pain relief will usually last around 4-6 hours.
Can you take ibuprofen with Paramol?
Yes. Ibuprofen can be taken alongside Paramol because they work differently and don’t interact with one another. As a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), ibuprofen works to relieve by reducing inflammation at the source of the pain.
Paramol side effects
Like any medicine, Paramol can cause side effects. Not everyone who takes Paramol will get side effects, and if they do, symptoms are usually mild. .
Common side effects (meaning they happen to more than 1 in 100 people) can be:
- constipation
- nausea or vomiting
- feeling sleepy
- headaches
- feeling dizzy
If you experience more serious side effects, tell a doctor or call 111 straight away. They can include:
- get a skin rash
- have difficulty peeing
- have changes in your eyesight
Signs of a Paramol overdose
If you have any concerns that you or your child have taken an overdose of Paramol, you should contact NHS 111 for advice if:
- you (an adult) take more than two tablets in a dose
- you (an adult) take more than eight tablets in 24 hours
- a child has had more than their recommended dose in 24 hours
You should call 999 or go to A&E now if:
- you take too much Paramol and are now finding it difficult to breathe
If you do need to go to A&E, do not drive. If someone else cannot drive you, then you should ask for an ambulance. Make sure to take the patient information leaflet with you, as well as any remaining tablets and other medication that you may take.
When to avoid Paramol tablets
Paramol is not suitable for everyone. To make sure it’s safe for you, speak to your doctor or a pharmacist before taking this medicine if you have:
- ever had an allergy to any of the ingredients
- problems with your digestion, i.e. IBS or Crohn’s disease
- lung problems, asthma or breathing difficulties
- an underactive thyroid
- liver or kidney problems
- adrenal insufficiency
Importantly, do not give Paramol to a child under 12 years old unless a doctor has prescribed it.
Storage information
Store below 25°C in a cool, dry place out of sight and reach of children. Do not use after the expiry date, referring to the last day of the month stated on the packaging. Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste.
Alternatives to Paramol tablets
If Paramol isn't suitable for you, there are several alternatives available. Co-codamol, which combines paracetamol with a low dose of codeine, is another similar alternative available from pharmacies. For inflammation-related pain, ibuprofen may be effective.
If your pain is persistent or not well controlled by over-the-counter options, it is worth speaking to your GP, who may be able to prescribe stronger or more targeted pain relief.
Frequently asked questions about Paramol
Is Paramol a strong painkiller?
Paramol is a stronger painkiller than standard paracetamol and ibuprofen. This is because it contains dihydrocodeine, an opioid that is stronger than codeine.
How many Paramol tablets can I take?
You can only take Paramol for three days to mitigate risk of addiction. Over these three days, you should not take more than eight tablets in a 24-hour window.
For children aged 12-15, this is no more than four tablets in a 24-hour window.
Is Paramol stronger than co-codamol?
Paramol is a fixed-strength medication, so it will always have be 500mg/7.46mg. This means that when it’s compared to lower strength co-codamol (8mg/500mg) it is generally considered to be stronger.
However, as co-codamol can increase in strength, (up to 30mg/500mg when prescribed), at this point, it’s considered stronger than Paramol.
Sources
- How and when to take co-dydramol (2023). NHS. [Accessed on 25th March 2026]
- Side effects of co-dydramol (2023). NHS. [Accessed on 25th March 2026]
- Who can and cannot take co-dydramol (2023). NHS. [Accessed on 25th March 2026]
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