Many of us rely on over-the-counter pain relievers for everyday aches and pains. In the UK, paracetamol is one of the most commonly used forms of pain relief, often used for things like headaches, back pain and colds.
But as with any type of medication, there are certain risks associated with using paracetamol.
With this in mind, the NHS has issued warnings about taking paracetamol safely – including Drug Combinations to Avoid.
“Paracetamol is not suitable for some people,” says the health department. This applies to people who regularly take warfarin, a medicine that prevents blood clots from forming.
If this affects you, talk to your doctor before taking paracetamol, the health department says.
The NHS adds: “Paracetamol can increase the risk of bleeding if you take it [warfarin] regularly.”
However, it is safe to take low-dose paracetamol with warfarin.
The NHS continues: “Paracetamol is safe to take while taking warfarin. But take the lowest dose that controls your pain.
“Taking more than four 500 mg tablets in a 24-hour period for more than a few days can slow blood clotting. This puts you at risk of bleeding.”
It is also risky to take the painkiller together with other medicines containing paracetamol, such as co-codamol or certain cold and flu tablets. This is due to the danger of overdose.
Ibuprofen, aspirin and codeine are other pain relievers that do not contain paracetamol and are safe with them.
The NHS adds that you should talk to your doctor before taking paracetamol if you are taking medicine for epilepsy or tuberculosis (TB), as this can also be dangerous.