Despite its popularity, paracetamol is not suitable for everyone to take
Lauren Haughey Lifestyle and Money Reporter
01:47, 11 Oct 2025
Millions of paracetamol packets are sold without a prescription every year in the UK(Image: Getty Images)
Paracetamol is an over-the-counter medication found in almost every pharmacy and supermarket. It is celebrated for alleviating various aches, pains, and flu symptoms, with 200 million packets sold without prescription each year in the UK alone.
However, it is important to note that paracetamol is not suitable for everyone. The NHS advises that several key groups of people should consult a doctor or pharmacist before taking this medication.
Most notably, this includes anyone who has experienced an allergic reaction to paracetamol or any other medication, along with people who have suffered from liver or kidney problems.
Beyond this, it also includes the following:
People who take certain medicationsAnyone who has ever had an allergic reaction to paracetamol or another medicinePeople with liver or kidney problemsAnyone who regularly drinks more than the maximum amount of alcohol recommended (14 units per week)People who weigh less than 50kg (eight stone) – they might require a lower dosage
Official guidance from the NHS states: “Most people aged 16 and over can take paracetamol. You can also take it if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.” It also adds: “Paracetamol can take up to an hour to work. It keeps on working for about five hours.”
Paracetamol is generally safe to use with most prescription medications and antibiotics, but there are some exceptions. If you are prescribed warfarin to prevent blood clots or any medication for epilepsy or tuberculosis, it is advisable to consult a doctor before taking paracetamol.
Meanwhile, in the case of other painkillers, the NHS adds: “It’s safe to take paracetamol with other types of painkiller that do not contain paracetamol, such as ibuprofen, aspirin or codeine.
“Do not take paracetamol alongside other medicines that contain paracetamol. If you take two different medicines that contain paracetamol, there’s a risk of overdose.”
Typical adults can take two 500mg tablets four times in 24 hours, with a minimum interval of four hours between doses. It is recommended not to take more than eight tablets within this timeframe.
Although paracetamol is therefore safe to take in most circumstances, this advice follows a study from the University of Nottingham that raised concerns over potential risks of its long-term use. The research, published last November, warned that repeated doses in elderly patients could increase the risk of heart, gastrointestinal, and kidney problems.
As part of their analyses, scientists examined medical records from 180,483 people aged 65 and over who had been prescribed paracetamol. They compared them with 402,478 similar-aged people who had not used the medication.
The findings were concerning, indicating that ‘prolonged paracetamol use’ can significantly raise the risk of ‘serious complications’ such as heart failure, high blood pressure, stomach ulcers, and chronic kidney disease.
The research team therefore called for a ‘careful reconsideration’ of prescribing paracetamol as a first-choice treatment for long-term pain management.
Lead author Professor Weiya Zhang explained at the time: “Whilst further research is now needed to confirm our findings, given its minimal pain-relief effect, the use of paracetamol as a first-line pain killer for long-term conditions such as osteoarthritis in older people needs to be carefully considered.”
For more information on paracetamol, visit the NHS website.