Medical expert of the article
New publications
Preparations
Panadol Extra
Last reviewed: 03.07.2025
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Panadol Extra is a combination drug containing caffeine and paracetamol. The drug has analgesic and antipyretic properties.
Indications Panadol Extra
The medicine is used to relieve pain of moderate or medium intensity in patients (may have different origins):
- headaches, as well as attacks of severe migraine or migraine-like pain;
- pain in muscles, joints, rheumatic, and also due to neuralgia;
- dysmenorrhea.
The medicine can also be used as an antipyretic during the treatment of acute respiratory viral infections or flu.
[ 1 ]
Release form
Available in tablet form. There are 12 tablets on a blister. One pack contains 1 blister strip.
Pharmacodynamics
Paracetamol is the active component of the drug. It is classified as an NSAID. It helps reduce the level of PG in the central nervous system by inhibiting the enzyme cyclooxygenase. The second active component is caffeine. It helps enhance the pharmacological effectiveness of paracetamol.
[ 2 ]
Pharmacokinetics
After internal use, paracetamol is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. The peak concentration in plasma is reached after 0.5-2 hours. The metabolism process occurs in the liver. The half-life is 1-4 hours, and excretion is usually carried out with urine in the form of decay products.
Dosing and administration
The medicine must be taken orally. The tablet must be swallowed whole, without crushing or chewing, and washed down with water. Medicines such as Solubl must be dissolved in a glass of water before use. The duration of the treatment course, as well as the dosage, must be selected individually - this is done by the attending physician.
For children aged 12 and over and adults, the dosage is usually 500-1000 mg of the drug (2 tablets) 3-4 times a day with an interval of at least 4 hours. Thus, no more than 4000 mg (or 8 tablets) of the drug can be taken per day.
Taking the medicine for more than 3 days is only permitted with the prescription of the attending physician.
During treatment with Panadol Extra, it is not recommended to consume large quantities of drinks containing caffeine.
Use Panadol Extra during pregnancy
The use of Panadol Extra during pregnancy is permitted only in cases of urgent need.
Contraindications
Among the contraindications:
- individual intolerance to the components of the drug;
- severe liver or kidney dysfunction, congenital hyperbilirubinemia, and G6PD deficiency in the body.
The medicine should not be taken by patients with disorders in the hematopoietic system (such as leukopenia or severe anemia), thrombosis, high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, and thrombophlebitis. It is also not prescribed to people suffering from alcoholism.
Panadol Extra should not be used to treat patients with epilepsy, glaucoma (including closed-angle), hyperthyroidism, as well as with cardiac conduction disorder, insomnia, decompensated heart failure, enlarged prostate, coronary heart disease, acute pancreatitis, and diabetes mellitus.
Contraindications also include a tendency to vascular spasms and the lactation period.
It is prohibited for use by children under 12 years of age and elderly patients.
Use with caution by patients with kidney or liver pathologies.
[ 5 ]
Side effects Panadol Extra
The drug is generally tolerated without complications, but in some cases the following side effects may be observed:
- gastrointestinal tract: severe vomiting along with nausea, pain in the epigastrium, and in addition to these symptoms, liver intoxication may develop or the activity of liver enzymes may increase;
- organs of the hematopoietic system: thrombocytopenia and pancytopenia, development of anemia (in some cases hemolytic), and in addition sulfhemoglobinemia or methemoglobinemia;
- CNS organs: problems with daily routine (wakefulness and sleep), dizziness and severe irritability;
- cardiovascular system: tachyarrhythmia and increased blood pressure;
- allergy: itching of the skin, rashes, urticaria, erythema multiforme, angioedema, anaphylaxis, and toxic epidermal necrolysis;
- others: bronchospasm, as well as hypoglycemia up to hypoglycemic coma.
Overdose
Overdose of the drug may result in its hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic properties, as well as symptoms of disorders in the hematopoietic system (anemia and agranulocytosis, as well as thrombocyto-, pancyto-, neutro- and leukopenia), as well as the central nervous system (tremor, problems with daytime routine (wakefulness/sleep), increased excitability, dizziness). In addition, the patient may experience convulsions, develop tachyarrhythmia, pale skin, disrupt glucose metabolism, vomiting, metabolic acidosis, and hepatonecrosis.
To eliminate symptoms, the patient's stomach should be washed, enterosorbents should be given, and symptomatic treatment should be performed. In case of severe overdose, the patient should be given intravenous N-acetylcysteine and methionine should be given orally (only if vomiting is not observed). If convulsions occur, diazepam should be used.
[ 8 ]
Interactions with other drugs
It is prohibited to combine the drug with MAO inhibitors, β-adrenergic receptor blockers, and tricyclics. The interval between the course of treatment with Panadol Extra and the use of drugs from the MAO inhibitor category should be at least 2 weeks.
In case of combination of the drug with domperidone, as well as metoclopramide, the rate of absorption of paracetamol increases. And in combination with cholestyramine, on the contrary, it decreases.
Due to the combination with warfarin and other coumarin anticoagulants, the risk of bleeding increases.
As a result of simultaneous administration with barbiturates, the antipyretic properties of paracetamol are weakened.
Isoniazid, microsomal enzyme inducers, and, in addition, hepatotoxic drugs increase the toxic effect of paracetamol on liver function.
When Panadol Extra is combined with diuretics, the effectiveness of the latter is weakened.
It is forbidden to combine the medicine with medications containing ethanol, and also with alcohol.
Caffeine contained in the drug enhances the properties of α- and β-adrenergic agonists, as well as xanthine and drugs that have a stimulating effect on the central nervous system.
Due to the simultaneous use with oral contraceptives, cimetidine, and isoniazid, an increase in the medicinal properties of caffeine is observed.
When combined with caffeine, the effect of drugs that suppress the central nervous system function is reduced.
Caffeine increases the concentration of lithium in the blood, enhances the medicinal effect of thyroid-stimulating drugs, and in addition increases the rate of absorption of the substance ergotamine in the gastrointestinal tract.
Storage conditions
The medicine must be stored in standard conditions for medicines - in a place protected from the sun, moisture and access of children. The temperature regime is within 15-25 degrees.
Shelf life
Panadol Extra is permitted to be used for 4 years from the date of manufacture of the drug.
[ 11 ]
Attention!
To simplify the perception of information, this instruction for use of the drug "Panadol Extra" translated and presented in a special form on the basis of the official instructions for medical use of the drug. Before use read the annotation that came directly to medicines.
Description provided for informational purposes and is not a guide to self-healing. The need for this drug, the purpose of the treatment regimen, methods and dose of the drug is determined solely by the attending physician. Self-medication is dangerous for your health.