Buy and use paracetamol safely

Content warning: this article contains references to self harm.

Paracetamol is a commonly used medicine in Australia, often used for the pain management of conditions such as headache or period pain.

We know that paracetamol is safe and effective for most people when taken at the recommended dose. But if taken at higher doses, it can be dangerous and may cause serious harm to the liver and even result in death.

Sadly, the number of people using paracetamol to deliberately hurt themselves is increasing. Often this isn't planned, and they take the paracetamol they can find in their homes.

Each year in Australia around 225 people are hospitalised with liver injury and 50 people die from paracetamol overdose, with rates of intentional overdose highest among adolescents and young adults.

To help reduce the risk of intentional overdose, the Therapeutic Goods Administration made a change to the way you can access paracetamol products based on pack size for various paracetamol products. These changes will take effect from 1 February 2025.

What do the changes mean?

From 1 February 2025, new restrictions on paracetamol will:

• reduce the maximum size of packs available for general sale (e.g. supermarkets and convenience stores) from 20 to 16 tablets or capsules
• reduce the maximum size of packs available in pharmacies without the supervision of a pharmacist (i.e. ‘Pharmacy Medicine’ packs) from 100 to 50 tablets or capsules (in most jurisdictions)
• make other pack sizes of up to 100 tablets or capsules available only under the supervision of a pharmacist (‘Pharmacist Only Medicine’).

Paracetamol tablets and capsules for both general and pharmacy sale will also be required to be in blister packaging. The maximum size of Pharmacy Medicine packs of individually wrapped powders or sachets of granules containing paracetamol will also be reduced in line with tablet and capsule packs.

Access to liquid, modified-release and Prescription Only (Schedule 4) paracetamol is not affected by the changes.

It’s important to note that some states and territories may have different restrictions. For example, in pharmacies in Queensland and Western Australia consumers will need to speak to a pharmacist to purchase paracetamol-containing products in pack sizes larger than 16 capsules or tablets.

These smaller pack sizes have started to appear in stores now. From 1 February 2025, you will no longer be able to purchase larger pack sizes from supermarkets or convenience stores.

How can I use paracetamol safely?

Making small changes to how you buy, use and store paracetamol medicines will help to reduce the risk of any accidental or intentional harm.

Tips for buying paracetamol:

• only buy what you need
• avoid stockpiling paracetamol products in your medicine cupboard
• look at the active ingredients of all products before buying them – paracetamol is often in other medicines like cold and flu products.

Tips for using paracetamol:

• make sure you’re taking the right amount:
  • for adults, this is no more than 1 gram of paracetamol (e.g. 2 x 500mg tablets or capsules) every 4 to 6 hours, with a maximum of 4 grams a day
  • for children, it depends on their body weight. Parents and carers should carefully read the directions for use on the labels and speak to their doctor or a pharmacist for advice
• if you are taking other medicines, such as cold and flu products, check the labels to see if they contain paracetamol to avoid taking a double dose 
• always check it is safe to use paracetamol with other medicines you are taking.

Tips for storing paracetamol:

• store in a secure location, out of reach of children
• look at how much paracetamol you have in the home – check the medicine cupboard, bedside tables and in handbags and carry bags
• keep a small amount of paracetamol accessible, and put the rest somewhere it can’t easily be found, like a lockable drawer.

For more information on paracetamol use, see: www.healthdirect.gov.au/paracetamol. 

If an overdose occurs, call 000 or go to a hospital Emergency department as soon as possible. You can also contact the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 for advice.

If you or anyone you know needs help, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Authorised by the Australian Government, Canberra.