Panadol - Benefits, dosage and side effects

Panadol is a medicine that contains paracetamol. Panadol has several variants that are intended to relieve symptoms and complaints, such as fever, flu, headache, nasal congestion, cough without phlegm, and sneezing. Panadol is also often used to relieve toothache and muscle aches.

Panadol contains paracetamol as the main active ingredient. Some Panadol variants also contain a combination of paracetamol with other active ingredients, such as dextromethorphan, phenylephrine, and pseudoephedrine.

There are several variants of Panadol, namely Panadol Regular, Panadol Cold & Flu, Panadol Flu & Cough, Panadol Extra, and Panadol Children.

Panadol Product Variants

Panadol is available in several variants that are sold freely in the market. The following are Panadol product variants and their uses and contents:

Panadol Regular (blue-white color)

Blue Panadol is useful for relieving pain, such as headaches, toothaches, and muscle aches, as well as reducing fever. Each tablet of Panadol Regular contains 500 mg of paracetamol.

Panadol Cold & Flu (green-white color)

Green Panadol is useful for relieving nasal congestion, cough without phlegm, and fever caused by the flu. Each Panadol Cold & Flu tablet contains 500 mg paracetamol, 30 mg pseudoephedrine HCl, and 15 mg dextromethorphan HBr.

Panadol Flu & Cough (green-red color)

Panadol Flu & Cough is useful for relieving sneezing, nasal congestion, fever, headache, cough without phlegm, muscle aches, and sore throat due to the flu. Each Panadol Flu & Cough tablet contains 500 mg paracetamol, 5 mg phenylephrine HCl, and 15 mg dextromethorphan.

Panadol Extra (red-white color)

Red Panadol is useful for relieving headaches and toothaches. Each Panadol Extra tablet contains 500 mg of paracetamol and 65 mg of caffeine.

In addition to the four variants above, there is also a Panadol variant which is specifically intended for children. This variant is useful for relieving headaches, pain due to teething, and fever due to colds, flu, or after immunization. Some of these variants are:

Panadol Kids Drops

Panadol Anak Drops for children aged 0–1 years are available in the form of a syrup equipped with a dropper. Each 1 ml of Panadol Anak Drops contains 100 mg of paracetamol.

Panadol Children's Syrup

Panadol Anak Syrup is intended for children aged 1–6 years. Each 1 ml of Panadol Anak Syrup contains 32 mg of paracetamol.

Panadol Children Suspension

Panadol Children's Suspension is intended for children aged 6 years and over. Each 1 ml of Panadol Anak Suspension contains 50 mg of paracetamol.

Chewable Kids Panadol

Panadol Chewable Children for children aged 2–12 years is available in the form of chewable tablets. Each tablet of Panadol Kids Chewable contains 120 mg of paracetamol.

What is Panadol?

Panadol for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Mothers

Especially for pregnant and lactating women, pay attention to the pregnancy and lactation categories of each type of Panadol before taking this drug. Here is the explanation:

The paracetamol content in Panadol is considered safe for babies when consumed in accordance with the recommended dosage for breastfeeding mothers because it is only absorbed into breast milk in small amounts. However, when taken in excess by nursing mothers, Panadol is thought to cause rashes in breastfed babies.

The pseudoephedrine in Panadol Cold and Flu can be absorbed into breast milk. Pseudoephedrine can cause reduced milk production, and cause the baby to become fussy and disrupt sleep patterns.

For other types of Panadol, it is not known whether the ingredients in the drug can be absorbed into breast milk or not. Before taking this medicine, first consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding.

Warning Before Taking Panadol:

• Do not take Panadol if you are allergic to paracetamol or any of the ingredients in this product.
• Do not take Panadol with other drugs that also contain paracetamol to prevent an overdose of paracetamol.
• Tell your doctor about your medical history, especially if you have ever had asthma, liver disease, kidney disease, heart disease, high blood pressure, epilepsy, chronic bronchitis, diabetes, glaucoma, adrenal gland tumors, hyperthyroidism, alcoholism, and urinary disorders.
• Tell your doctor about any medicines, supplements, or herbal remedies you are taking, especially warfarin and monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI).
• Do not take Panadol more than the recommended dose because it can cause liver problems.
• Avoid taking Panadol Flu & Cough and Panadol Cold & Flu if you have a cough with phlegm.
• Avoid consuming caffeinated beverages, such as coffee, tea, and cola drinks, while taking Panadol Extra.
• Immediately consult a doctor if symptoms do not improve within 3 days or even worsen.
• Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction or overdose after taking Panadol.

Dosage and Rules of Use Panadol

The dosage of Panadol depends on the variant of the drug. The following is a breakdown of Panadol dosages for adults and children over 12 years of age:

Panadol Extra

Drug form: tablet

Adult & child dosage 12 years: 1 tablet, 3-4 times daily, maximum 8 tablets per day

Panadol Regular

Drug form: tablet

Dosage for adults & children 12 years: 1-2 tablets, 3-4 times daily, up to 8 tablets per day

Panadol Cold & Flu and Panadol Flu & Cough

Dosage for adults & children 12 years: 1 tablet every 4–6 hours, maximum 8 tablets per day

It is important to remember, do not give all of the Panadol variants above to children under 12 years of age, unless directed by a doctor.

While the dosage of Panadol for children is as follows:

Panadol Kids Drops

Drug form: syrup

Dosage: 0.8–1.6 ml (according to age), 3–6 times a day

Panadol Children's Syrup

Syrup form

1–2 years old: 3.75 ml, 2–3 years old: 5 ml, 4-5 years old: 7.5 ml, 6 years old: 10 ml, 3-4 times a day

Maximum dose 4 times a day

Panadol Children Suspension

Drug form: suspension

Ages 6–12 years: 1 measuring spoon (5 ml), 3-4 times a day

Age >12 years: 2 measuring spoons (10 ml) 3-4 times a day

Chewable Kids Panadol

Drug form: chewable tablet

2–5 years: 1-2 tablets, 3-4 times a day

Ages 6–12 years: 2–4 tablets, 3-4 times a day

How to Take Panadol Correctly

Make sure to always follow the instructions on the medicine package or the doctor's advice in taking Panadol.

Panadol Anak Syrup and Panadol Anak Suspension can be taken directly or mixed with water or fruit juice.

Panadol Kids Chewable can be consumed by chewing directly, crushed or mixed with water or fruit juice.

Give a gap of 4 hours between each dose of Panadol Children, and do not give Panadol more than 4 times a day. Store Panadol in a room at room temperature.

Panadol Interactions with Other Drugs

There are several types of drugs that can cause interactions when used with Panadol, including:

• Phenytoin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine, or colestyramine, which may decrease the effectiveness of Panadol
• Warfarin, whose effects can increase the risk of bleeding
• Chloramphenicol, whose effects can increase the risk of developing chloramphenicol side effects
• Probenecid, whose effect can increase blood levels of Panadol
• Domperidone or metoclopramide, the effect of which can increase the absorption of paracetamol in Panadol

Side Effects and Dangers of Panadol

The content of paracetamol and other drugs in Panadol rarely causes side effects, especially if taken according to the recommended dosage. However, in some people, Panadol can cause side effects, such as:

• Dizzy
• Hard to sleep
• Throw up
• Stomach pain
• Dark urine
• Difficult to urinate
• Body tired easily
• Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes or jaundice
• A severe skin reaction called Stevens-Johnson Syndrome

In addition, if used in excessive doses, the paracetamol content in Panadol can cause overdose symptoms, which include:

• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Severe stomach pain
• Excessive sweating
• Diarrhea
• Confused
• Weak

See your doctor right away if you have side effects, symptoms of an overdose, or an allergic drug reaction, such as a rash, facial swelling, and difficulty breathing.