What is Panadol ActiFast?

Panadol ActiFast has a unique formulation which gets to the source of pain fast. It acts faster than standard paracetamol tablets you can swallow to give fast pain relief.

Panadol contains paracetamol.

What is paracetamol used for?

Panadol ActiFast tablets are used to treat mild-moderate pain in children and adults over the age of 12, by relieving headaches, including migraine and tension headaches, toothache, backache, rheumatic and muscle pain and period pain.

It also relieves sore throat and the fever, aches and pains of colds and flu.

Paracetamol is the most commonly used pain killer in the UK and is known to be effective in reducing pain associated with the following causes:

• Toothache
• Headache
• Period pain
• Joint and muscle pain
• Post-operative pain

It is also now known that paracetamol is highly effective in the use of reducing high temperatures which are often a symptom of cold and flu. Paracetamol can also help lower high temperatures caused by mild infections.

If you think you may have a temperature (fever) that is caused by an infection you must speak to a doctor about your treatment options. Paracetamol does not help to clear infections.

What does paracetamol do and how does it work?

Paracetamol is thought to work directly on the central nervous system within the body, reducing the pain signals that can travel up the spinal cord and reach the brain.

It is also thought that paracetamol, like other painkillers such as ibuprofen, prevent the chemical prostaglandins being produced. Prostaglandins are naturally generated by the body as a result of pain and fever so by decreasing their production; paracetamol reduces pain sensations and the body's temperature.

How long does paracetamol take to work and how long does it last for?

Paracetamol can take up to an hour to take effect but most people will notice some improvement to their pain and fever within half an hour.

Like all medicines, paracetamol starts to be broken down by the body as soon as it is swallowed. If you were to take one single dose of paracetamol, usually you will notice pain or a fever return within 4-6 hours.

If you are experiencing moderate pain which you are not able to tolerate with just paracetamol alone every 4-6 hours you may want to consider taking another pain killer alongside paracetamol such as ibuprofen or an opioid painkiller.

If you are unsure or would like further advice about what killers you should take you may want to take a look at our Pain page or speak to a doctor or pharmacist.

Can you take paracetamol with ibuprofen?

Paracetamol can be taken with ibuprofen at their recommended doses. For the best outcome when using both paracetamol and ibuprofen to reduce pain and fevers you should stagger the doses of both medicines so you feel a more consistent reduction and feel the benefits over a longer period.

Paracetamol & naproxen

It is safe to take paracetamol at the same time as naproxen as long as you take both medicines as directed and this is only for a short time.

If you are finding that you are unable to control your pain with naproxen alone or with paracetamol after 3 days you should speak to a doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Paracetamol & codeine

Paracetamol can be taken at the same time as codeine as long as you take both medicines as directed and this is only for a short time. You can buy medicines that contain both paracetamol and codeine online at The Independent Pharmacy over on our Pain page.

You should not take codeine continuously for more than 3 days as it can cause addiction.

If you are finding that you are unable to control your pain with codeine and paracetamol after 3 days you should speak to a doctor or pharmacist for advice.