Paracetamol should be taken at the recommended dose

MEDIA RELEASE

Paracetamol should be taken at the recommended dose

October 30, 2015 – Consumer healthcare products industry body, the New Zealand Self-Medication Industry (SMI), reaffirmed today that paracetamol has a well-known safety profile when taken at the recommended dose.

SMI executive director Tim Roper said: “Paracetamol overdoses are deeply concerning and the industry strongly supports quality use of medicines to minimise the risk of overdose.

“Worldwide, paracetamol has a long history of being used safely. It has been available in New Zealand for many years, but like all medicines it must be taken only as directed.

Mr Roper’s comments come in response to a study published in the New Zealand Medical Journal today which shows that, in one hospital, paracetamol was involved in nearly a quarter of all overdoses.

“We do not believe that restricting over-the-counter paracetamol pack sizes would stop people from overdosing. Instead, restricting availability would have a negative impact on most customers, who use the drug correctly as safe way to reduce pain,” Mr Roper comments.

In New Zealand, the recommended paracetamol dosing for adults and children 12 years and over is 500 to 1000 mg (1-2 tablets) every four to six hours as necessary, with a maximum of 4000 mg (eight 500mg tablets) in any 24 hour period.[1]

“When taking an analgesic, like any medicine, it is important that consumers adhere to approved doses and warning statements on the pack.

“All products containing paracetamol contain warnings on the pack in relation to maximum dose, duration of use and actions to take if an overdose is taken or suspected,” Mr Roper added.

-ENDS-

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[1] Australian Government: Department of Health and Ageing. Therapeutics Goods Administration. Recommended paracetamol doses. Available athttp://www.tga.gov.au/consumers/information-paracetamol-doses.htm

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