It’s typically used to relieve mild or moderate pain, such as headaches, toothache or sprains, and reduce fevers caused by illnesses such as colds and flu.
Paracetamol is often recommended as one of the first treatments for pain, as it’s safe for most people to take and side effects from the painkillers are rare.
People often question if it is safe to take paracetamol and ibuprofen together, and the NHS recommended it is safe to take both doses at the same time or spaced apart.
NHS Choices said: “If you’re 16 or over, you may wish to use paracetamol and ibuprofen together to reduce pain and fever.
“There are no known harmful interactions between paracetamol and ibuprofen in people over 16.”
However, there are some drug combinations which experts warn could react ‘unpredictably’ with other medications.
One type of drug – used to treat patients with type 2 diabetes could affect how the drug works.
Lixisenatide is used to help reduce blood glucose in people with diabetes, and it is usually injected once a day under the skin.
NICE, a health watchdog, said: “Lixisenatide possibly reduces the absorption of paracetamol when given one to four hours before paracetamol.
Paracetamol could also interact with anti-coagulants Warfarin, a used to prevent blood clots.
NICE said: “The anticoagulant effect of coumarins possibly enhanced by prolonged regular use of paracetamol.”
A study published by experts in France investigated the link between Warfarin and paracetamol.
The research, published in the journal Haematologica said: “Paracetamol at 4 g daily (a dose higher than that used in clinical practice) potentiates the anticoagulant response produced by warfarin.
“Clinicians should be aware of this clinically significant and underestimated interaction.”
This means taking paracetamol could increase the risk of haemorrhage – or bleeding.
Paracetamol could also interact with some drugs used to treat epilepsy, primary biliary cirrhosis and some anti fungal medicine.
People should always seek advice from doctors and pharmacists before taking medication.
NHS Choices said: “Adults can usually take one or two 500mg tablets every four to six hours, but shouldn’t take more than 4g (eight 500mg tablets) in the space of 24 hours.
“There are no known problems caused by taking paracetamol with any specific foods or by drinking moderate amounts of alcohol while taking paracetamol.”
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