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 Headache, Muscle pain, Fatigue, Diarrhoea, Drowsiness, Constipation.

Expert advice for Famotidine
Famotidine is a well tolerated and safe medicine with a very low incidence of side effects. Take Famotidine before going to bed if you are taking this medicine once a day as it is very effective in controlling stomach acid released in the midnight. If you are also taking an antacid, take it two hours before or after taking Famotidine. Avoid taking soft drinks, citrus fruits like orange and lemon, which can irritate the stomach and increase acid secretion. Inform your doctor if you do not feel better after taking Famotidine for two weeks or 14 days as you may be suffering from some other problems. Inform your doctor if you have ever been diagnosed with kidney or liver disease. Dose of your medicine may need to be adjusted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How is Famotidine different from omeprazole?
Both Famotidine and omeprazole lower the acid production in your stomach but they belong to the different group of drugs. Studies have shown that omeprazole is more effective than Famotidine in treating heartburn and in rapid healing of duodenal ulcers. However, the effect of these medicines may vary upon individual response.

Q. Is Famotidine an antacid?
Famotidine belongs to the class of H2 receptor blockers which decrease the amount of acid produced in the stomach. While antacids only neutralize the stomach acid by coating the stomach.

Q. What is the difference between Famotidine and pantoprazole?
Famotidine is an H2 histamine receptor blocker whereas pantoprazole is a proton pump inhibitor. Pantoprazole is more potent at inhibiting gastric acid production compared to famotidine and also its effect lasts for a long time.

Q. How is Famotidine different from cimetidine?
Both Famotidine and cimetidine lower gastric acid secretion by blocking the H2 receptor in the stomach. However, Famotidine is longer acting, more efficacious, and has very less side effects when compared to cimetidine.

Q. Is Famotidine safe to use?
Famotidine is safe if used for a prescribed duration in doses as prescribed by your physician. However, there are some common side effects that you can experience with the dose advised, like a headache, muscle pain, fatigue, diarrhea, drowsiness, and constipation.

Q. Can I take Famotidine with ibuprofen?
Famotidine can be taken with ibuprofen. Ibuprofen is a pain killer and belongs to the group of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents) which can cause stomach acidity, heartburn, and stomach ulcers. Drugs like Famotidine are used to prevent and treat gastric problems caused by ibuprofen.

Q. Would there be a change in the dose of Famotidine in patients undergoing dialysis?
Yes, there could be a change in the dose of Famotidine in patients undergoing dialysis. In patients with severe renal failure, a lower dose of Famotidine is recommended. However, patients who undergo dialysis do not need to add a dose even if there is a considerable variation in the clearance of the drug from the body in these patients.

Q. Can I take Famotidine with aspirin?
Aspirin can be taken with Famotidine. Aspirin is a pain killer and belongs to the group of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents) which can increase the gastric acid secretion and worsen stomach acidity, heartburn, and stomach ulcers. On the other hand, drugs like Famotidine are used to prevent and treat gastric problems caused by painkillers.

Q. Why does Famotidine cause dizziness?
Dizziness is a commonly reported side effect with the use of Famotidine. The exact mechanism of this is not known. However, it is suggested to block H2 receptor located in some brain areas (cerebral cortex and corpus striatum) which can lead to dizziness. Do not drive or use any machinery in case you feel dizzy while taking Famotidine.

Q. What is the role of Famotidine before surgery?
Famotidine is given as a part of pre-anesthetic medication before surgery to decrease the stomach acid secretion so that stomach acid is not aspirated into the lungs during surgery.

Q. Can I take Famotidine with ranitidine?
Both Famotidine and ranitidine lower gastric acid secretion by blocking the H2 receptor in the stomach. They are not used together as they have a similar action and use and when used together, there could be an increased risk of side effects.

Q. What is the role of Famotidine in critically ill patients?
Famotidine may be used in critically ill patients to decrease stomach acid secretion and lower the risk of acid aspiration into the lungs. It also helps in decreasing stomach ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding in these patients.

Q. What is the difference between Famotidine and esomeprazole?
Famotidine is an H2 histamine receptor blocker whereas esomeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor. Esomeprazole is more potent at inhibiting gastric acid production compared to Famotidine and also its effect lasts for a long time.

Q. Is Famotidine an over the counter product?
Famotidine is not available as an over the counter (OTC) product. It is a prescription medicine and is available when prescribed by a doctor.

Q. Are there any withdrawal symptoms associated with the use of Famotidine?
Famotidine is not seen to be associated with any withdrawal symptoms. In treatment-withdrawal studies of Famotidine, no significant withdrawal symptoms were observed after discontinuing the medication.

Q. Why is Famotidine added to total parenteral nutrition?
Patients on total parenteral nutrition are prone to increased secretion of stomach acid in the absence of food. H2 receptor blockers like Famotidine is given in these patients to decrease acid secretion and prevent gastric ulcers.

Q. What are the side effects of Famotidine seen in infants?
Irritability, lethargy, diarrhea, dry mouth, vomiting, constipation, abdominal discomfort, fatigue, and urticaria are some of the side effects reported with the use of Famotidine in infants (children less than 1 year of age).

Q. Why is Famotidine used in cancer patients?
Famotidine may be used for multiple reasons in cancer patients. It can lower stomach acid volume in patients undergoing chemotherapy to prevent aspiration and lower the risk of stomach ulceration and bleeding. According to some studies, Famotidine can potentiate white blood cell against cancer cells and can be helpful in the treatment of cancer.

Q. When does Famotidine expire?
Yes, Famotidine does expire. Please check the expiry date written on the pack and it refers to the last day of that month. Do not use Famotidine after the expiry date.

Q. Is there any benefit of taking Famotidine with Lansoprazole?
Both Famotidine and pantoprazole lower gastric acid secretion, however, they work by different mechanisms. If you have been advised to take pantoprazole, you can take Famotidine initially for rapid relief of heartburn and acid reflux as pantoprazole may take a few days to show its effect and help in relieving symptoms.

Q. What is the benefit of taking Famotidine with Pantoprazole?
Both Famotidine and pantoprazole lower gastric acid secretion, however, they work by different mechanisms. If you have been advised to take pantoprazole, you can also take Famotidine initially for rapid relief of heartburn and acid reflux as omeprazole may take a few days to show its effect and provide relief.

Q. Does Famotidine use cause hair loss?
No, use of Famotidine is not seen to cause hair loss. Some common side effects associated with its use includes a headache, muscle pain, fatigue, diarrhea, drowsiness, and constipation.

Q. What are the side effects of Famotidine in elderly?
No specific studies have been done to study the use of Famotidine in elderly. Headache, dizziness, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal discomfort, fatigue, and urticaria are some of the side effects reported with its use. Elderly patients are more prone to have kidney related problems and so a dose adjustment may be needed.

Q. Is it safe to take Famotidine with Tramadol?
Yes Famotidine can be taken with Tramadol. No drug-drug interactions or any harmful effects have been reported when they are used together.

Q. Can I take Famotidine with Ciprofloxacin?
Famotidine and Ciprofloxacin can be taken together. Ciprofloxacin is an antibiotic and is used to treat bacterial infections. Famotidine is sometimes given along with for the relief of associated stomach acidity or acid reflux. No drug-drug interactions or any harmful effects have been reported when they are used together.

Q. Is it safe to take Famotidine with Azithromycin?
Famotidine and Azithromycin can be taken together. Azithromycin is an antibiotic and is used to treat bacterial infections. Famotidine is sometimes given along with for the relief of associated stomach acidity or acid reflux. No drug-drug interactions or any harmful effects have been reported when they are used together.

Q. Can I take Famotidine with Doxycyclin?
Famotidine and Doxycyclin can be taken together. Doxycyclin is an antibiotic and is used to treat bacterial infections. Famotidine is sometimes given along with for the relief of associated stomach acidity or acid reflux. No drug-drug interactions or any harmful effects have been reported when they are used together.