Axcel Paracetamol 500mg Tablet

Axcel Paracetamol 500mg Tablet is an oral tablet containing paracetamol (also known as acetaminophen) 500 mg as its only active ingredient. It is made in Malaysia by Kotra Pharma (M) Sdn Bhd, a local pharmaceutical manufacturer, and belongs to the single-ingredient paracetamol tablet class of medicines found in most Malaysian home medicine cabinets.

The tablets are supplied in strips of 10 tablets, and a larger 100-tablet pack is also sold, so you can choose the quantity that suits your household. Because paracetamol is also an ingredient in many cold and flu, headache and pain combination products, it is important to check the active ingredient list of any other medicine you are taking so that you do not take paracetamol from more than one source at the same time.

As an OTC (Over-the-Counter) medicine, Axcel Paracetamol 500mg Tablet can be bought through DoctorOnCall without needing a doctor’s prescription. This tablet strength is intended for adults and children above 12 years of age, and the dose printed on the pack insert should always be followed. Paracetamol taken above the recommended dose can seriously damage the liver, so the maximum daily dose should never be exceeded.

• Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water, with or without food.
• Leave at least 4 hours between doses, and do not take more than the maximum number of tablets in 24 hours stated in the Dosage section or on the pack.
• Check the label of any other medicine you take (including cold and flu products) to make sure it does not also contain paracetamol or acetaminophen.
• Use the lowest dose that works, for the shortest time needed.
• If symptoms persist, get worse, or fever lasts more than 3 days, stop taking the tablets and consult a doctor.

Adults and children above 12 years: one to two tablets (500 mg to 1,000 mg) every 4 to 6 hours as needed, leaving at least 4 hours between doses and never taking more than 8 tablets (4,000 mg) in any 24-hour period. Some Malaysian pack texts state a more conservative regimen, so please follow the dose printed on your own pack insert, and follow the lower limit if the pack states one. Adults who are underweight, who drink alcohol regularly, or who have liver or kidney problems should take a lower maximum daily amount as advised by a doctor or pharmacist. This tablet strength is not for children aged 12 years and below; ask a pharmacist about a suitable children’s paracetamol product. This medicine is taken only when needed, so there is no missed-dose schedule; if you take too much, seek medical help immediately even if you feel well.

Use Axcel Paracetamol 500mg Tablet before the expiry date printed on the strip and outer carton. Check the expiry date and batch number before each use, and do not take tablets that are past their expiry date or that look damaged or discoloured.

Store as directed on the pack, generally in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, heat and moisture. Keep the tablets in their original strip until you are ready to take them, and keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.

• Common: Paracetamol is usually well tolerated at the recommended dose; some people may notice mild nausea or stomach discomfort.
• Rare: Skin rash, itching or hives, which means you should stop taking the tablets and seek advice.
• Serious: Severe allergic reaction with swelling of the face, lips or throat, or difficulty breathing, which needs emergency medical attention.
• Serious: Serious skin reactions such as widespread blistering, peeling or painful red skin, or sores in the mouth and eyes, which need emergency medical attention.
• Serious: Liver damage after taking more than the recommended dose, with signs such as yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, severe tiredness or upper abdominal pain, which needs urgent medical care even if you feel well at first.
• Serious: Unexplained bruising, bleeding or frequent infections, which may signal a blood disorder and need prompt medical review.

• Do not use if you are allergic or hypersensitive to paracetamol or any other ingredient in the tablet.
• Do not use if you have severe liver disease or severe liver impairment unless a doctor specifically advises it.
• Do not take together with any other paracetamol-containing or acetaminophen-containing medicine.
• Do not give to children aged 12 years and below; this tablet strength is not suitable for them.
• Do not exceed the maximum daily dose, and avoid regular heavy alcohol intake while taking paracetamol.

• Other medicines containing paracetamol or acetaminophen (many cold, flu and pain combination products): taking them together can lead to an overdose and liver damage.
• Warfarin: regular daily use of paracetamol for several days may increase the blood-thinning effect, so your doctor may need to monitor your clotting tests.
• Medicines such as carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital and rifampicin (and similar liver-enzyme inducers): they may raise the risk of liver injury, so ask your doctor or pharmacist before combining them.
• Metoclopramide and domperidone may speed up the absorption of paracetamol, and cholestyramine may reduce it, so ask your pharmacist about timing.
• Flucloxacillin and zidovudine: ask your doctor or pharmacist before using paracetamol regularly with these medicines.
• Alcohol: drinking alcohol regularly or heavily while taking paracetamol increases the risk of liver damage. No other specific food interactions are known, and the tablets can be taken with or without food.

• Read the active ingredient on every medicine label, and look for paracetamol or acetaminophen to avoid doubling up.
• Write down the time of each dose so you can keep at least 4 hours between tablets.
• Avoid alcohol while you are taking paracetamol, especially if you drink regularly.
• Keep the tablets in their original strip and out of the reach of children, as an overdose is an emergency even if the person feels well.
• Do not give this tablet strength to children aged 12 years and below; ask a pharmacist for a children’s paracetamol product.
• If you have liver or kidney disease, or take warfarin, check with a pharmacist before you use paracetamol regularly.

Precautions: Take Axcel Paracetamol 500mg Tablet exactly as directed and never exceed the maximum daily dose. Speak to a doctor or pharmacist before use if you have liver or kidney disease, drink alcohol regularly, are underweight, are malnourished, take warfarin or other regular medicines, or have a known allergy to paracetamol. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, use the lowest effective dose for the shortest time and seek advice first. Check every other medicine you take for paracetamol or acetaminophen, and keep all tablets out of the reach of children.

When to See a Doctor or Pharmacist: See a doctor if your symptoms last more than 3 days, get worse, or come back, if you have a high or persistent fever, or if you develop a rash, swelling, or any unexpected symptoms. Seek emergency help immediately if you take more than the recommended dose, even if you feel well, or if you have swelling of the face or throat, difficulty breathing, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or a severe skin reaction.