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Paracetamol

For mild to moderate odontogenic or post-operative pain, an appropriate 5-day regimen is:

Paracetamol Tablets, 500 mg

Send: 40 tablets

Label: 2 tablets four times daily

Paracetamol Tablets or Soluble Tablets, 500 mg, or Oral Suspension*, 120 mg/5 ml or 250 mg/5 ml

6-23 months

120 mg four times daily (max. 4 doses in 24 hours)

2–3 years

180 mg four times daily (max. 4 doses in 24 hours)

4 –5 years

240 mg four times daily (max. 4 doses in 24 hours)

6-7 years

240-250 mg four times daily (max. 4 doses in 24 hours)

8-9 years

360-375 mg four times daily (max. 4 doses in 24 hours)

10-11 years

480-500 mg four times daily (max. 4 doses in 24 hours)

12-15 years

480-750 mg four times daily (max. 4 doses in 24 hours)

16-17 years

500 mg – 1 g four times daily (max. 4 doses in 24 hours)

For adults:

Paracetamol Tablets, 500 mg

Send: 40 tablets

Label: 2 tablets four times daily

For children:

Paracetamol Tablets or Soluble Tablets, 500 mg, or Oral Suspension*, 120 mg/5 ml or 250 mg/5 ml

6-23 months

120 mg four times daily (max. 4 doses in 24 hours)

2–3 years

180 mg four times daily (max. 4 doses in 24 hours)

4 –5 years

240 mg four times daily (max. 4 doses in 24 hours)

6-7 years

240-250 mg four times daily (max. 4 doses in 24 hours)

8-9 years

360-375 mg four times daily (max. 4 doses in 24 hours)

10-11 years

480-500 mg four times daily (max. 4 doses in 24 hours)

12-15 years

480-750 mg four times daily (max. 4 doses in 24 hours)

16-17 years

500 mg – 1 g four times daily (max. 4 doses in 24 hours)

NB:   Advise patients that paracetamol can be taken at 4-hourly intervals but not to exceed the recommended daily dose (maximum of 4 g for adults). Overdose with paracetamol is dangerous because it can cause hepatic damage that is sometimes not apparent for 4–6 days and can be fatal. Note that a patient who ingests a therapeutic excess (defined as more than the recommended daily dose [8 x 500 mg tablets for adults] AND more than or equal to 75 mg/kg in any 24 hour period) should be referred for assessment in an emergency department (for more information see the BNF; www.medicinescomplete.com).

*Sugar-free preparation is available

See Contraindications & cautions - analgesics for further information about the contraindications and cautions most relevant to analgesics commonly prescribed for odontogenic pain.

Drug interactions