Panadol Paracetamol Dosage for Adults

Determining the right Panadol dosage for you

If you’re suffering from mild to moderate pain – including everyday aches and painsi due to headache, migraine, osteoarthritis and arthritis, cold and flu symptoms, toothache, muscle aches, sore throat pain or period pain – there’s no need to tough it out.

Panadol can give you fast and effective temporary relief from all of these common types of pain, as well as help to reduce a fever.ⁱ But how much Panadol should you take at once if you’re experiencing pain? And how many doses of Panadol per day is too much?

Learn more about Panadol dosage for adults below.

Is it possible to overdose on Panadol?

Panadol is a common pain reliever that is safe to take for most adults, including pregnant and breastfeeding women.i However, determining the right dosage of Panadol to help ease your pain will not only help provide you with effective pain relief, but will also protect you against an overdose of Panadol, which can cause serious side effects.ⁱ

An overdose of paracetamol (the active ingredient in Panadol) most commonly causes nausea and vomiting, but it can also cause abdominal pain and have adverse effects on the internal organs in more severe (and rare) cases.^{i, ii} You should never take more than the recommended dose of Panadol, even if your pain is very bad.i If your pain does not improve after treatment with Panadol, consult a healthcare professional.

Discover the right Panadol dosage for adults when using any product in the Panadol pain relief range with our simple guide.

Always read the dosage instructions on the product label before using Panadol products.

Panadol Everyday Relief

Tabletsⁱⁱⁱ

Adults and children over the age of 12 can take 1-2 tablets of Panadol every 4-6 hours with water as required. Do not exceed the maximum of 8 tablets within the same 24-hour period, or the maximum daily dose of 4000mg.

Children aged 7-12 years can take ½ to 1 tablet of Panadol every 4-6 hours with water as required. Do not exceed the maximum of 4 tablets within the same 24-hour period.

Mini Caps ⁱⁱⁱ

Adults and children over the age of 12 can take 1-2 mini caps of Panadol every 4-6 hours with water as required. Do not exceed the maximum of 4 mini caps within the same 24-hour period.

Children aged 7-12 years can take 1 mini cap of Panadol every 4-6 hours with water as required. Do not exceed the maximum of 4 tablets within the same 24-hour period.

Panadol tablets and mini caps are not recommended for children under the age of 7 years and should not be used with other paracetamol-containing products.ⁱⁱⁱ

Suppositoriesⁱⁱⁱ

Adults and children over the age of 12 can use 2 suppositories to be inserted into the rectum up to 4 times in 24 hours as required. For ease of insertion, suppository can be moistened just prior to insertion. Do not exceed the maximum of 8 suppositories within the same 24-hour period.

Children aged 10-12 years can use 1 suppository to be inserted into the rectum up to 4 times in 24 hours as required. For ease of insertion, suppository can be moistened just prior to insertion. Do not exceed the maximum of 4 suppositories within the same 24-hour period.

Panadol suppositories are not recommended for children under the age of 10 years and should not be used with other paracetamol-containing products.ⁱⁱⁱ

Adults and children over the age of 12 should not use Panadol tablets, mini caps or suppositories for more than a few days at a time without medical advice. Children aged 7-17 years should not use for more than 48 hours, except on medical advice.ⁱⁱⁱ

Panadol Rapid

Soluble Tablets^iv

Adults and children over the age of 12 can take 2 tablets of Panadol Rapid Soluble dissolved in a glass of water at room temperature every 4-6 hours as required. Do not exceed the maximum of 8 tablets within the same 24-hour period, or the maximum daily dose of 4000mg.

Caplets^iv

Adults and children over the age of 12 can take 2 Panadol Rapid caplets every 4-6 hours with water as required. Do not exceed the maximum of 8 caplets within the same 24-hour period, or the maximum daily dose of 4000mg.

Panadol Rapid is not recommended for children under the age of 12 years and should not be used with other paracetamol-containing products. Do not use for more than a few days at a time without medical advice.^iv

Panadol Osteo

Caplets^v

Adults and children over the age of 12 can take 2 caplets of Panadol Osteo swallowed whole three times a day every 6-8 hours as required. Do not chew or suck caplets, as it impairs the sustained release properties. Do not exceed the maximum of 6 caplets within the same 24-hour period, or the maximum daily dose of 4000mg.

Panadol Osteo is not recommended for children under the age of 12 years and should not be used with other paracetamol-containing products. Adults and children over the age of 12 should not use Panadol Osteo for more than a few days at a time, except on medical advice. Children aged 12-17 years should not use for more than 48 hours, except on medical advice.^v

Panadol Extra

Caplets (with Optizorb Formulation)^vi

Adults and children over the age of 12 can take 1-2 caplets of Panadol Extra Optizorb every 4-6 hours with water as required. Do not exceed the maximum of 8 caplets within the same 24-hour period, or the maximum daily dose of 4000/500mg (paracetamol/caffeine).

Panadol Extra is not recommended for children under the age of 12 years and should not be used with other paracetamol-containing products.^vi

Panadol Cold & Flu + Decongestant

Caplets^vii

Adults and children over the age of 12 can take 2 caplets of Panadol Cold & Flu Plus Decongestant every 4-6 hours with water as required. Do not exceed the maximum of 8 caplets within the same 24-hour period.

Panadol Cold & Flu is not recommended for children under the age of 12 years and should not be used with other paracetamol-containing products.^vi Adults and children over the age of 12 should not use Panadol Cold & Flu for more than a few days at a time, except on medical advice. Children aged 12-17 years should not use for more than 48 hours, except on medical advice.^vii

^References

^{i. Paracetamol for adults. NHS. https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/paracetamol-for-adults/. Accessed 03/11/20.
ii. Paracetamol Overdose Management. University Hospitals Birmingham (NHS). https://hgs.uhb.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/Paracetamol-Overdose.pdf. Accessed 03/11/20.
iii. PANADOL TABLETS (PARACETAMOL) TABLETS / PANADOL MINI CAPS (PARACETAMOL) TABLETS / PANADOL SUPPOSITORIES (PARACETAMOL) SUPPOSITORIES. Medicines.Org. https://apps.medicines.org.au/files/gcppaimm.pdf. Accessed 03/11/20.
iv. PANADOL RAPID (PARACETAMOL) TABLETS / PANADOL RAPID SOLUBLE (PARACETAMOL) EFFERVESCENT TABLETS. Medicines.Org. https://apps.medicines.org.au/files/gcppanra.pdf. Accessed 03/11/20.
v. PANADOL OSTEO. Medicines.Org. https://apps.medicines.org.au/files/gcppanos.pdf. Accessed 03/11/20.
vi. PANADOL EXTRA (PARACETAMOL AND CAFFEINE) TABLETS. Medicines.Org. https://apps.medicines.org.au/files/gcppextr.pdf. Accessed 03/11/20.
vii. PANADOL COLD AND FLU PLUS DECONGESTANT. NPS MedicineWise. https://www.nps.org.au/medicine-finder/panadol-cold-flu-decongestant-caplets. Accessed 03/11/20.}