caffeine + paracetamol at a glance
Medicine class
Non-opioid analgesic and antipyretic with a stimulant analgesic adjunct.
Usual uses
Headache or migraine, period, dental, back or rheumatic pain, and pain or fever associated with colds, influenza or sore throat.
Important check
Do not combine it with any other product containing paracetamol.
Caffeine
Limit additional caffeine from coffee, tea, energy drinks and similar products because it may increase stimulant side effects.
What is caffeine + paracetamol used for?
Selected UK products are licensed for relief of pain and fever, including:
Headache, including migraine
Backache and toothache
Rheumatic pain
Period pain
Pain, aches and fever associated with colds or influenza
Sore-throat symptoms
How does caffeine + paracetamol work?
Paracetamol relieves pain and reduces fever. Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant that acts as an analgesic adjunct, helping paracetamol’s pain-relieving effect.
caffeine + paracetamol preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 500 mg + 65 mg
How to take caffeine + paracetamol
This is an oral, film-coated tablet. Swallow it with water and follow the instructions supplied with the specific pack.
Check cold, flu, headache and sleep products for paracetamol before taking them together.
Avoid excessive caffeine from drinks, foods or other medicines.
Ask a pharmacist or doctor before use if you have liver or kidney problems, are underweight, regularly drink substantial amounts of alcohol, or have a severe illness or malnutrition.
Seek medical advice if symptoms persist or headaches become persistent.
caffeine + paracetamol side effects
Common or expected effects
- Difficulty sleeping, restlessness, anxiety or irritability, particularly with additional dietary caffeine
- Dizziness, headache, palpitations or stomach upset
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction, including facial or throat swelling, breathing difficulty or collapse
- Blistering, peeling or another severe skin reaction
- Bronchospasm, particularly in people previously sensitive to aspirin or other NSAIDs
- Unexplained bruising, bleeding or signs of a serious blood-cell disorder
- Yellow skin or eyes, loss of appetite or other signs of liver dysfunction
- Deep rapid breathing, drowsiness, nausea or vomiting suggesting metabolic acidosis in an at-risk patient
caffeine + paracetamol in pregnancy
The selected caffeine-containing product should not be used during pregnancy because of concerns associated with caffeine exposure. Paracetamol alone remains the preferred UK option for pain or fever in pregnancy; discuss the most suitable product with a pharmacist, midwife or prescriber.
caffeine + paracetamol while breastfeeding
The selected product should not be used while breastfeeding. Paracetamol alone is preferred; caffeine-containing combinations should be avoided if possible, particularly with newborn or young infants, because caffeine may cause irritability or poor sleep.
caffeine + paracetamol interactions
Check other prescribed and non-prescribed products before use. Relevant interactions include:
Other paracetamol-containing products
Combining products can cause accidental overdose and potentially severe liver injury.
Warfarin and other coumarin anticoagulants
Prolonged regular paracetamol use may increase the anticoagulant effect and bleeding risk.
Lithium
Caffeine can increase lithium clearance, so concomitant use is not recommended.
Common questions about caffeine + paracetamol
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is caffeine + paracetamol used for?
It is used for relief of common painful or feverish conditions, including headache or migraine, period, dental, back or rheumatic pain, and cold or flu symptoms.
How is caffeine + paracetamol different from paracetamol alone?
It adds caffeine as an analgesic adjunct. Caffeine may support paracetamol’s pain-relieving effect but can also cause stimulant effects such as sleeplessness or palpitations.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.