Actimax 500 Tablet

Actimax 500 Tablet is an over-the-counter oral tablet containing paracetamol BP 500 mg per tablet. Paracetamol, also called acetaminophen, belongs to the analgesic and antipyretic class of medicines. The tablet is a white, round, uncoated tablet with a score line on one side and a flat surface on the other, which allows it to be split along the score when a half-tablet dose is appropriate for older children as directed on the label.

It is a single-ingredient product, so it contains no other active substances, and that makes it easy to cross-check against the other medicines in your home. The tablets are supplied in blister strips of 10 tablets, with DoctorOnCall listing the 10s strip. According to the product description, the tablet contains gelatin from a bovine source, which is useful for customers who need to know about animal-derived ingredients, although halal status should be confirmed from the pack or manufacturer.

The manufacturer’s product information confirms that Actimax 500 Tablet is a paracetamol tablet, so please always rely on the label printed on the pack you receive for the full ingredient list. As with all OTC medicines, store the tablets in the blister strip, keep them out of reach of children, and speak to a pharmacist or doctor before use if you have liver disease, drink alcohol regularly, take other medicines, or are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water. It may be taken with or without food. The score line allows the tablet to be divided into halves where a half-tablet dose is directed.

• Adults and children above 12 years: take 1 to 2 tablets every 4 to 6 hours as required, with no more than 8 tablets in 24 hours.
• Children 6 to 12 years: give half to 1 tablet every 4 to 6 hours as required, with no more than 4 tablets in 24 hours.
• Children under 6 years: this tablet is not recommended, and a paracetamol suspension that is dosed by weight or age is more suitable.
• Leave at least 4 hours between doses and do not take more than the recommended amount unless a doctor has advised otherwise.
• Do not take with any other paracetamol-containing medicine.

Dosing for Actimax 500 Tablet depends on age, and each tablet contains 500 mg of paracetamol.

• Adults and children above 12 years: 1 to 2 tablets (500 mg to 1,000 mg) every 4 to 6 hours as required. Maximum 8 tablets (4,000 mg) in 24 hours.
• Children 6 to 12 years: half to 1 tablet (250 mg to 500 mg) every 4 to 6 hours as required. Maximum 4 tablets (2,000 mg) in 24 hours.
• Children under 6 years: not recommended in tablet form, so choose a paracetamol suspension and follow the dosing chart on that pack.
• Missed dose: this is an as-required product, so no catch-up is needed. Take the next dose only when required and after the minimum 4-hour interval, and never double up.
• If symptoms continue for more than a few days or worsen, stop and speak to a doctor or pharmacist. Take emergency action immediately in case of overdose, even if you feel well.

Use before the expiry date printed on the blister strip and the outer carton. Do not use the tablets after this date, and discard any tablets that look discoloured, broken or damaged.

Store below 30°C in a dry place, protected from moisture and direct sunlight, and keep the tablets in the original blister strip and carton until required. Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children.

• Common: Paracetamol is generally well tolerated at the recommended dose, and side effects are uncommon. Mild stomach discomfort or nausea may occasionally occur.
• Uncommon: Skin rash, itching or hives can occur as a sign of sensitivity to the medicine. Stop taking the product and speak to a doctor or pharmacist if a rash develops.
• Serious: Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, wheezing or difficulty breathing may indicate a severe allergic reaction, and needs emergency medical care straight away.
• Serious: Blistering, peeling or widespread red skin rashes, sores in the mouth or around the eyes, or fever with skin symptoms are rare but potentially life-threatening skin reactions that require urgent medical attention.
• Serious: Taking more than the recommended amount can cause liver damage. Warning signs include yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, pale stools, persistent nausea or vomiting and pain in the upper right abdomen, and may not appear for 1 to 3 days after an overdose, so urgent medical help should be sought even if you feel well.
• Serious: Unusual bruising, bleeding, frequent infections or persistent sore throat are very rare signs of blood disorders and should be checked by a doctor promptly.

• Known hypersensitivity (allergy) to paracetamol or to any other ingredient in the tablet.
• Severe active liver impairment or acute liver disease.
• Children under 6 years of age in tablet form, because a suspension is the recommended form for this age group.

• Duplicate paracetamol: Do not take this product together with any other medicine that contains paracetamol (also labelled acetaminophen), including many multi-symptom cough, cold and flu products, as combined intake can exceed the safe daily limit and harm the liver.
• Warfarin and other coumarin anticoagulants: Regular, repeated use of paracetamol over several days can enhance the blood-thinning effect and raise the risk of bleeding, so tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are on these medicines.
• Enzyme-inducing medicines: Medicines such as carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, primidone and rifampicin can increase the formation of paracetamol’s liver-toxic by-products, so caution and professional advice are needed.
• Absorption-altering medicines: Metoclopramide and domperidone may speed up absorption of paracetamol, while colestyramine may reduce it if taken within about an hour of paracetamol.
• Flucloxacillin: Taking paracetamol together with flucloxacillin, particularly in people with risk factors such as kidney impairment, sepsis or malnutrition, has been linked to a serious blood and body chemistry disturbance called metabolic acidosis, so inform your doctor if you are prescribed this antibiotic.
• Alcohol: Regular or heavy alcohol intake increases the risk of liver injury with paracetamol; avoid drinking alcohol while using this product.
• Food: No significant food interaction is known, and the tablets can be taken with or without food.

• Check every medicine you take for the words paracetamol or acetaminophen so that the total from all products stays within the daily limit.
• For children aged 6 to 12 years, use the score line to split the tablet cleanly and give half a tablet only when the pack directions call for it.
• Keep a simple log of the time and number of tablets given, particularly if more than one family member is caring for a child.
• If anyone in your household needs to avoid animal-derived ingredients, remember that the tablet contains gelatin from a bovine source and check with the manufacturer if halal status matters to you.
• Leave tablets in the blister strip until needed, and store the pack in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
• When ordering for the first time, compare the name and strength on the pack with this page so that you are certain you have the 500 mg paracetamol tablet.

Precautions: Check with a doctor or pharmacist before use if you have liver or kidney disease, drink alcohol regularly, are underweight or malnourished, or are dehydrated, as these raise the risk of paracetamol toxicity. Paracetamol is generally regarded as acceptable in pregnancy and breastfeeding at the lowest effective dose for the shortest time, but professional advice should still be sought. Older adults should use the lowest effective dose. Children should be dosed strictly by the age bands on the label, and a measured suspension is more precise for young children than a divided tablet.

When to See a Doctor or Pharmacist: Speak to a doctor if symptoms last longer than a few days, get worse, or return soon after stopping, and see a doctor promptly for any new symptoms in a young child. Seek urgent care for rash, swelling of the face, breathing difficulty, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, or unusual bruising or bleeding. If more than the recommended amount has been taken, go to the nearest emergency department immediately and take the pack with you.