Side Effects:

Common Allergic reaction.

Expert advice for Paracetamol
Good for pain relief and fever but not effective in joint pain due to poor anti-inflammatory action. Starts working within one hour. Wait for at least 4 hours before taking the next dose. Present in many over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medicines. Avoid taking more than one paracetamol product at a time to prevent overdose. Doses >4 g/day (2 g in alcoholics) may cause liver, kidney or heart problems. Discontinue Paracetamol and inform your doctor immediately if rash occurs. For children, measure the doses of liquid Paracetamol using the measuring cup instead of a teaspoon to avoid under or over-dosage. Avoid excess alcohol intake (>3 glasses/day) when taking Paracetamol as it may cause liver damage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Can I take Paracetamol with vitamin B complex?
Yes, Paracetamol can be taken with vitamin B-complex preparations. They have been used together in the treatment of acute and painful diseases affecting nerves like trigeminal neuralgias, post-operative pain, etc. Paracetamol helps to relieve pain and vitamin B-complex corrects the deficiency that might be causing your symptoms.

Q. Is Paracetamol use associated with Helicobacter pylori infection?
No, Paracetamol use is not associated with Helicobacter pylori infection. Painkiller drugs can increase the acid secretion in the stomach, aggravate the symptoms of this infection and the risk of stomach and the intestine ulcer. However, this risk is minimum with Paracetamol as compared to other pain killers.

Q. Can I take Paracetamol with fexofenadine?
Yes, Paracetamol can be taken safely with fexofenadine. No drug-drug interactions or any harmful effects have been reported. These are used together to treat the symptoms of cold, cough, flu or a sore-throat and other allergic or viral diseases. Fexofenadine helps to relieve sneezing, runny nose, itchy throat, or eyes and Paracetamol helps to relieve pain or fever.

Q. Can I take Paracetamol with warfarin?
Paracetamol is safe to use occasionally with warfarin as other painkillers like ibuprofen and aspirin can increase the risk of bleeding. However, on a long-term use, Paracetamol can also increase the risk of bleeding. Talk to your doctor before taking them together as you may need to be monitored regularly.

Q. Can I take Paracetamol with tamsulosin?
Paracetamol can be taken with Tamsulosin. No harmful side effects or other interactions have been seen when they are taken together. Tamsulosin is an alpha adrenergic receptor blocker used to treat symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Q. Can I take Paracetamol with cetirizine?
Yes, Paracetamol can be taken safely with cetirizine. No drug-drug interactions or any harmful effects have been reported. These are used together to treat the symptoms of cold, cough, flu or a sore throat and other allergic or viral diseases. Cetirizine helps to relieve sneezing, runny nose, itchy throat, or eyes and Paracetamol helps to relieve pain or fever.

Q. Can I take Paracetamol with ibuprofen?
Yes, Paracetamol can be taken with ibuprofen. Both help to relieve pain and fever and ibuprofen also decreases inflammation and swelling. However, both increase the acid secretion in the stomach and can cause acid reflux, heartburn, stomach, and intestinal ulcers and gut bleeding on long-term use.

Q. Does Paracetamol cause weight loss?
Paracetamol is not known to cause weight loss. It is a very safe medicine for short term use and can cause minor and rare side effects like low blood pressure, and allergic reactions.

Q. Can anyone be allergic to Paracetamol?
Yes, there have been reports of hypersensitivity and allergic reaction with the use of Paracetamol. Symptoms of an allergy include swelling of the face, mouth, and throat, shortness of breath, urticaria, red rash, and severe itching. Stop taking Paracetamol if you have such symptoms and immediately consult your doctor.

Q. How beneficial is to use Paracetamol with diclofenac?
Paracetamol and Diclofenac might be given together in case of fever and pain. Paracetamol has an early onset of action and it helps in relieving the symptoms till diclofenac starts working. However, both are pain killers and can affect stomach lining on long-term use leading to acid reflux, heartburn, and stomach ulcers and bleeding.

Q. Can I take Paracetamol for stomach pain?
No, Paracetamol should not be taken for stomach pain. You must consult your physician for this. The stomach pain could be due to some underlying condition, which needs attention.

Q. Can I take Paracetamol with aceclofenac?
Yes, Paracetamol can be given with aceclofenac for fever and pain. Paracetamol has an early onset of action and it helps in relieving the symptoms till Aceclofenac starts working. However, both are pain killers and can affect stomach lining on long-term use leading to acid reflux, heartburn, and stomach ulcers and bleeding.

Q. Does Paracetamol treat sore-throat, flu or cold?
Paracetamol does not treat sore-throat, flu or cold but it can help in relieving fever and body aches associated with these conditions.

Q. Can I take Paracetamol with codeine?
Paracetamol and codeine can be taken together. No drug-drug interactions or any harmful effects have been reported when they are used together. They are commonly given together for the relief of mild to moderate pain due to different reasons.

Q. Does Paracetamol help a cough?
No, Paracetamol does not help in the relief of cough but it can help in relieving associated fever and body aches.

Q. Does Paracetamol contain alcohol?
No, Paracetamol does not contain any alcohol.

Q. Can I take Paracetamol with amoxicillin?
Paracetamol and amoxicillin can be taken together. Amoxicillin is an antibiotic and is used to treat bacterial infections. Paracetamol is given along, for the relief of any associated pain and fever. No drug-drug interactions or any harmful effects have been reported when they are used together.

Q. Does Paracetamol have side effects?
Paracetamol is quite safe for short term use. It has side effects if taken in more than the dose advised and for a long-term. Immediately consult a doctor if there is nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark colored urine, clay colored stools or jaundice as it could be due to an overdose of Paracetamol.

Q. Is Paracetamol safe to use?
Paracetamol is safe to use in the dose as advised by the doctor. Use in more than recommended doses can do serious harm.

Q. Is it safe to take Paracetamol with erythromycin?
Paracetamol and Erythromycin can be taken together. Erythromycin is an antibiotic and is used to treat bacterial infections. Paracetamol is given along, for the relief of associated fever. No drug-drug interactions or any harmful effects have been reported when they are used together.

Q. Is Paracetamol an antibiotic?
Paracetamol is not an antibiotic. It's an analgesic (pain-killer) and antipyretic (for the relief of fever), whereas an antibiotic is useful for the treatment of infections.

Q. Can I take Paracetamol with metronidazole?
Paracetamol and Metronidazole can be taken together. No drug-drug interactions or any harmful effects have been reported when used together.

Q. Can I take Paracetamol with homeopathic medicine?
Ask your doctor before taking Paracetamol with homeopathic medicine as there is no information available on this.

Q. Is it safe to take Paracetamol with Tramadol?
Yes, Paracetamol can be taken with Tramadol. They are used together for moderate to severe pain in various diseases and their use is associated with common side effects like nausea, dizziness, and sleepiness.No drug-drug interactions have been reported when they are used together.

Q. Can I take Paracetamol with Azithromycin?
Paracetamol and Azithromycin can be taken together. Azithromycin is an antibiotic and is used to treat bacterial infections. Paracetamol is given along, for the relief of any associated pain and fever. No drug-drug interactions or any harmful effects have been reported when they are used together.

Q. Is it safe to take Paracetamol with Naproxen?
Yes, Paracetamol can be taken with Naproxen. Both are painkillers and belong to the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and are used to relieve pain and fever. However, long-term use affects the stomach lining and increase acid secretion which can lead to side effects like acid reflux, heartburn, stomach, and intestinal ulcers and bleeding.

Q. Can a patient with high blood pressure take Paracetamol?
Occasional use of Paracetamol is safe in patients with high blood pressure. However, if it is to be taken for a long time, you must talk to your doctor. Paracetamol belongs to the group of painkillers called analgesics and antipyretics and these drugs can decrease the action of medicines taken by the patient for control of high blood pressure.

Q. Does Paracetamol interact with vitamin C?
Vitamin C can be taken with Paracetamol. However, vitamin C increases the blood levels of other drugs similar to Paracetamol, so it is advised to talk to your doctor if you have to take both these medicines for a long-term.

Q. What happens if you take an overdose of Paracetamol?
Overdose of Paracetamol can cause potentially life-threatening liver damage, which is the most serious side effect. Early symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, profuse sweating, and general tiredness. Kidney damage, decreased platelet count and coma may also occur. Immediately consult a doctor or consult an emergency in the case of suspected overdosage.

Q. Can I take Paracetamol with hyoscine?
Yes, Paracetamol and hyoscine can be taken together. Hyoscine is used to relieve pain and cramps of the stomach, gut, urinary bladder and urinary tract while Paracetamol is used to relieve mild to moderate pain of a headache, toothache, muscle pain, joint pain, and fever. Together they can be advised by a doctor for painful conditions of the gut and urinary tract.

Q. Can I take Paracetamol with Betahistine?
Paracetamol can be taken with Betahistine. There are no reported drug-drug interactions or harmful effects when they are used together.

Q. Can I take Paracetamol with rabeprazole?
Paracetamol and Rabeprazole can be taken together. Rabeprazole is used to prevent Paracetamol (painkillers) induced gastritis and stomach ulcers by decreasing the production of acid in the stomach. There are no clinically significant drug-drug interactions or harmful effects seen when they are used together.

Q. How beneficial is to take urofollitropin alpha with Paracetamol?
Urofollitropin alpha is given as a subcutaneous injection with the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone to assist in ovulation and fertility. Urofollitropin alpha can cause abdominal or pelvic pain or pain and swelling at the injection site in some patients which can be relieved by taking Paracetamol.

Q. Can vitamin D be taken safely with Paracetamol?
Yes, vitamin D can be taken with Paracetamol. Patients with osteoarthritis who are on vitamin D and calcium may need to take Paracetamol for the relief of any associated pain. No drug-drug interactions or any harmful effects have been reported.

Q. Can I take clindamycin with Paracetamol?
Paracetamol and Clindamycin can be taken together. Clindamycin is an antibiotic and is used to treat bacterial infections. Paracetamol may be given along, for the relief of associated fever. No drug-drug interactions have been reported clinically. However, both are known to cause liver damage. Talk to your doctor if you need them for a long time.

Q. Does Paracetamol affect the liver?
Use of Paracetamol for a long time and above recommended doses can cause liver damage ranging from abnormal liver tests to liver failure. If you are taking Paracetamol from a long time and have nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark colored urine, clay colored stools or jaundice, inform your doctor as these could be signs of an underlying liver damage.

Q. Can I take Paracetamol if I have hepatitis?
Paracetamol is considered the safest painkiller to take for people with hepatitis for mild to moderate pain and fever. However, Paracetamol is metabolized in the liver, so, consult your doctor before taking Paracetamol if you have hepatitis as it can cause liver damage if taken in higher doses or for a very long time.

Q. What are the serious side effects of taking excess Paracetamol?
Potentially severe life-threatening liver injury is a serious side effect seen with an overdose of Paracetamol. Overdose can also cause kidney injury, coma, and decreased platelet count. Early symptoms of an overdose include nausea, vomiting, and general tiredness. Immediately consult a doctor or reach an emergency in case of suspected overdose.

Side Effects:

Common Nausea, Headache, Abdominal pain, Constipation, Flatulence, Diarrhoea.

Expert advice for Rabeprazole
Inform your doctor if you do not feel better after taking it for 14 days as you may be suffering from some other problem that needs attention. Rabeprazole can decrease magnesium levels in blood. Get your magnesium levels checked regularly. You may need a magnesium supplement or need to discontinue your medicine.  Inform your doctor if you are suffering from osteoporosis as Rabeprazole can weaken your bones by decreasing calcium levels in blood. You may need a calcium supplement, preferably calcium citrate. Rabeprazole is a well-tolerated medicine and provides relief for a long time. It may take a few days to show its effect. You can take an antacid for a quick relief during this time unless your doctor has asked you not to use them. Once you start feeling better, do not stop taking your medicine. Take it for the duration as advised by your doctor

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Is Rabeprazole an over the counter product?
No, Rabeprazole is not an over the counter product, it is available when prescribed by a doctor.

Q. Is Rabeprazole an antacid?
Rabeprazole is not an antacid. It belongs to the class of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) which decrease the amount of acid produced in the stomach while antacids only neutralize the stomach acid by coating the stomach.

Q. Does Rabeprazole cause osteoporosis (thinning of bones)?
Yes, long term use of Rabeprazole can cause osteoporosis (thinning of bones). It decreases the calcium absorption leading to calcium deficiency and increases the risk of bone fractures of hip, wrist or spine. Inform your doctor if you have osteoporosis or if you are taking corticosteroids (these can increase the risk of osteoporosis) before starting your therapy. Take enough calcium and vitamin D to reduce the risk.

Q. Can I take aluminum hydroxide and magnesium carbonate or other antacids with Rabeprazole?
Rabeprazole can be taken with antacids like aluminum hydroxide, magnesium carbonate or sodium bicarbonate. Rabeprazole takes a few days to show its effect, so antacids can be taken during that time for relief of acidity and heartburn. However, antacids should be taken two hours before or one hour after taking Rabeprazole as antacids can increase the pH of the stomach and decrease the action of Rabeprazole which requires a lower pH for its action.

Q. Does Rabeprazole have addictive potential?
No, Rabeprazole has no addictive potential. It shows no withdrawal symptoms when you stop using this medicine.

Q. Is Rabeprazole safe?
Yes, Rabeprazole is safe if taken for prescribed duration in prescribed doses as advised by your doctor. However, there are some very common side effects that you can experience at effective doses like nausea, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, and flatulence.

Q. Does Rabeprazole cause hair loss?
No, hair loss has not been reported as a side effect of Rabeprazole. Talk to your doctor in case there is excessive hair fall as it could be due to some underlying problem that needs attention.

Q. Does Rabeprazole cause flatulence (gas or bloating)?
Flatulence (gas) has been reported as a common side effect of Rabeprazole. Although it would be mild to moderate in nature and transient.

Q. Does Rabeprazole cause tinnitus (ringing in the ears)?
Tinnitus (ringing sensation in the ears) has not been seen as a side effect with the use of Rabeprazole. Talk to your doctor in case you have this problem as it could be due to some underlying condition that needs attention.

Q. Does Rabeprazole cause weight gain?
Weight gain has been reported as a rare side effect of Rabeprazole. Weight gain can add to your problem of acidity and heartburn. So, you must try to do some exercise and make healthy changes in your diet to control your weight.

Q. Does Rabeprazole expire?
Yes, like any other medicine, Rabeprazole also expires. Always check the expiry date on the pack of the medicine before using it.

Q. Does Rabeprazole cause constipation?
Constipation is a common side effect seen in patients using Rabeprazole. Making healthy lifestyle changes like doing yoga, taking high fiber diet and plenty of fluids will prevent constipation.

Q. Does Rabeprazole cause high blood pressure?
Rabeprazole is not reported to cause high blood pressure. In case you experience high blood pressure, talk to your doctor as it may need attention. Common side effects seen with Rabeprazole includes nausea, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, and flatulence.

Q. Does Rabeprazole cause headache?
Headache is reported as one of the common side effects of Rabeprazole. Please consult your doctor in case you experience an intolerable headache for a prolonged duration while taking Rabeprazole.

Q. Can I take Rabeprazole with ranitidine?
Yes, Rabeprazole can be taken with ranitidine. As Rabeprazole show its effect after some days, Ranitidine can be taken for immediate relief. No drug-drug interactions or change in side effect profile has been reported when they are used together compared to either drug alone.

Q. Can I take Rabeprazole with ibuprofen?
Rabeprazole can be taken with ibuprofen. Rabeprazole is used to prevent painkiller (NSAIDs) induced gastritis and stomach ulcers by decreasing the production of acid in the stomach. There are no reported drug interactions or harmful effects when they are used together.

Q. Can I take Rabeprazole with paracetamol?
Rabeprazole can be taken with paracetamol. Rabeprazole is used to prevent painkiller (NSAIDs) induced stomach ulcers by decreasing the production of acid in the stomach. There are no reported drug interactions or harmful effects when they are used together.

Q. How is Rabeprazole metabolized?
Rabeprazole is metabolized in the liver mainly by microsomal CYP450 enzymes (CYP2C19 and CYP3A4). Patients with poor CYP2C19 enzymatic activity will have higher levels of Rabeprazole for a long time and a better suppression of stomach acid.

Q. Can Rabeprazole be used for the treatment of throat infection?
No, Rabeprazole is not meant for throat infections. However, it may be given along with antibiotics and other drugs to protect the stomach from excessive acid secretion.

Q. Why is Rabeprazole used with cinitapride for some conditions?
Cinitapride increases the movement of the gut and is useful in the treatment of conditions like heartburn, dyspepsia and is also useful in the treatment of reflux esophagitis. It has much better efficacy when it is used with Rabeprazole.

Q. Does Rabeprazole play any role in treating ulcerative colitis?
Rabeprazole does not have any role in the treatment of ulcerative colitis. However, it can be given if there is associated dyspepsia or increased stomach acid secretion. Talk to your doctor before taking any treatment for ulcerative colitis.

Q. Can Rabeprazole be used for reflux esophagitis?
Yes, Rabeprazole is effective in the treatment of reflux esophagitis. It is a disease in which stomach acid or bile irritates and inflames the lining of the food pipe. Rabeprazole decreases the production of acid in the stomach and can help in healing the inflamed and eroded esophagus.The efficacy is better when it is given in combination with a prokinetic agent like domperidone.

Q. Is Rabeprazole being used for treating weight loss?
No, Rabeprazole is not used for the treatment of weight loss. It is a proton pump inhibitor and is used for the treatment of acidity, heartburn, intestinal ulcers and stomach ulcers.

Q. Is there any role of Rabeprazole in treating hiatus hernia?
A hiatus hernia is the bulging of the stomach into the chest through an esophageal opening in the diaphragm which is larger than the normal size. A hiatus hernia is associated with acidity and heartburn. Rabeprazole does not play any role in treating hiatus hernia, however, it can help in relieving the symptoms of acidity, heartburn and acid reflux.

Q. Can I take Rabeprazole with vitamin D?
Yes, vitamin D can be taken with Rabeprazole. Vitamin D is generally advised to be taken as a supplement with Rabeprazole as its long-term use decreases the absorption of calcium and cause calcium deficiency. This can lead to osteoporosis (thinning of bones) and increase the risk of bone fractures like hip, wrist and spine fractures.

Q. How is Rabeprazole useful in the treatment of H. pylori?
Rabeprazole is used along with antibiotics for the treatment of H.Pylori infection. It works by decreasing stomach acid volume and decreasing breakdown and washout of antibiotics leading to an increased antibiotic concentration and tissue penetration. It also helps in the symptomatic relief by decreasing associated acidity, reflux, and heartburn.

Q. Can I take Rabeprazole with domperidone?
Rabeprazole can be safely taken with domperidone as no harmful effects have been reported clinically. A fixed-dose combination of these two medicines is also available. Domperidone increases gut motility and Rabeprazole decreases the acid production in the stomach. So, this combination is very effective in the treatment of reflux esophagitis associated with acidity, heartburn, intestinal and stomach ulcers.

Q. Can long term use of Rabeprazole cause magnesium deficiency?
Long-term use of Rabeprazole can lower magnesium levels in patients taking multiple daily doses for a year or longer (at least 3 months). Get your magnesium levels checked at regular intervals. Tell your doctor if you experience seizures, dizziness, abnormal or fast heartbeat, jitteriness, jerking movements or shaking (tremors), muscle weakness, spasms of the hands and feet, cramps, muscle aches or spasm of the voice box.