Panadol night

How does it work?

Panadol night tablets contain two active ingredients, paracetamol and diphenhydramine.

Paracetamol is a simple painkilling medicine used to relieve mild to moderate pain and fever. Despite its widespread use for over 100 years, we still don't fully understand how paracetamol works to relieve pain and reduce fever. However, it is now thought that it works by reducing the production of prostaglandins in the brain and spinal cord.

The body produces prostaglandins in response to injury and certain diseases. One of the effects of prostaglandins is to sensitise nerve endings, causing pain (presumably to prevent us from causing further harm to the area). As paracetamol reduces the production of these nerve sensitising prostaglandins it is thought it may increase our pain threshold, so that although the cause of the pain remains, we can feel it less.

Diphenhydramine is a type of medicine called a sedating antihistamine. It enters the brain in sufficient quantities to cause drowsiness. This is the main reason why it is included in this medicine.

The combination of active ingredients in Panadol night can be used to relieve mild to moderate pain such as headaches, backache or period pain that is causing difficulty getting to sleep at night. The relief from pain and the mild sedative effect caused by the medicine helps aid restful sleep.

What is it used for?

Mild to moderate pain, such as headache, migraine, rheumatic and muscle pain, backache, nerve pain (neuralgia), toothache or period pain that is causing difficulty getting to sleep at night.

Warning!

This medicine may cause drowsiness and so should not be taken during the day. If affected do not drive or operate machinery. Alcohol should be avoided.

You should not take this medicine if you have already taken four doses of a paracetamol containing medicine during the day, as this can easily result in exceeding the maximum recommended daily dose of paracetamol. Many over-the-counter painkillers and cold and flu remedies contain paracetamol. It is important to check the ingredients of any medicines you buy without a prescription before taking them in combination with this medicine. Seek further advice from your pharmacist.

An overdose of paracetamol is dangerous and capable of causing serious damage to the liver and kidneys. You should never exceed the dose stated in the information leaflet supplied with this medicine. Immediate medical advice should be sought in the event of an overdose with this medicine, even if you feel well, because of the risk of delayed, serious liver damage.

Alcohol increases the risk of liver damage that can occur if an overdose of paracetamol is taken. The hazards of paracetamol overdose are greater in persistant heavy drinkers and in people with alcoholic liver disease.

If symptoms persist despite treatment, seek medical advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Do not use for longer than seven nights unless your doctor agrees.

Use with caution in

Elderly people

Decreased kidney function

Decreased liver function

Severe heart disease

Epilepsy

Glaucoma

Enlarged prostate gland (prostatic hypertrophy)

Difficulty passing urine (urinary retention)

Obstruction of the gut.

Not to be used in

Children under 12 years of age, unless on the advice of a doctor

Closed angle glaucoma

Hereditary blood disorders called porphyrias

Acute asthma attacks.

This medicine should not be used if your child is allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if your child has previously experienced such an allergy.

If you feel your child has experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

The safety of this medicine for use during pregnancy has not been fully established. As with all medicines, it should be avoided during pregnancy unless considered essential by your doctor. Seek medical advice from your doctor before taking this medicine if you are pregnant.

This medicine passes into breast milk. While paracetamol is not known to have harmful effects on a nursing infant, the effect of diphenhydramine is not known. The manufacturer recommends that breastfeeding mothers should avoid this medicine. Seek medical advice from your doctor if you are breastfeeding.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Drowsiness

Blurred vision

Disturbances of the gut such as constipation, nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain

Dry mouth, nose and throat

Headache

Skin rash

Difficulty in passing urine (urinary retention)

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

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