When it comes to taking medicine, whether it’s a prescription or just some painkillers you bought over the counter, it’s incredibly important to make sure you’re taking them right.
It’s just as important to make sure not to mix different painkillers unless they’re compatible. So that is definitely something to search up before you take them!
Knowing the purpose and effects of each medication, and then checking if they’re compatible, should ensure that you’re taking them safely and that you’re not putting yourself at any risk. If in doubt, it’s good to check the official NHS website or to ask a doctor.
Paracetamol and Aspirin are two of the most popular and commonly used painkillers, with both of them being available for purchase over the counter, without the need for a prescription. But can you take them together? Let’s find out!
Main Topics
What is Aspirin?
Aspirin, also known as acetylsalicylic acid, is a common everyday painkiller. It can be purchased over the counter, without the need for a prescription, and can be found in pharmacies, shops, and even in supermarkets. It is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
The main use of aspirin is to treat pain such as headaches, period pain, toothache, and most cold and flu symptoms. It can come in different forms, but mainly in tablets.
Let’s look at some more key facts:
- Aspirin should be taken with food, as this will prevent the possibility of getting an upset stomach.
- It should be taken by people aged 16 and above (unless a doctor says otherwise).
- It is okay to take while pregnant, within the first 6 months of pregnancy. (But ask your doctor just to be certain!)
- Aspirin is a painkiller, but it is available in different brands with different names, such as Caprin, Disprin, and others. Other painkillers might also contain aspirin.
Aspirin usually comes in tablets of 300mg, and the recommended dosage is 1 or 2 tablets, every 4 to 6 hours.
What’s important is that you don’t take more than 12 tablets within 24 hours!
What is Paracetamol?
Paracetamol is one of the most commonly used painkillers, available to purchase over the counter in pharmacies, shops, and supermarkets.
The main use of paracetamol is to treat many different types of aches and pains, such as headaches, period pains, cold and flu symptoms, and even to reduce high temperatures.
Paracetamol is for people over the age of 16 (sometimes known as paracetamol for adults), and there is another specific paracetamol that is for children.
Let’s look at some more key facts:
- Paracetamol can take up to an hour to work, so it won’t relieve the pain straight away. (It’s why most people will take paracetamol as soon as they feel their headache coming on, and similar).
- Paracetamol should not be taken with other medicines that contain paracetamol, as it’s very important not to go over the recommended dosage in a day.
- Paracetamol is completely safe to take during pregnancy and during breastfeeding.
- Paracetamol is the name of the painkiller, but it is available in other brand names such as Disprol, Hedex, Medinol, and Panadol.
Paracetamol can be taken with or without food. It usually comes in tablets of 500mg, and the recommended dosage is 1 to 2 tablets, up to four times within the same 24 hours.
You should also leave around 4 hours between each dosage! It’s very important not to overdose, as that will increase the chances of getting more serious side effects.
There are, of course, exceptions, but most people can safely take paracetamol, and it is the most commonly used painkiller around the world.
Can you take Aspirin with Paracetamol?
Now that we’ve gone over the basics of what Aspirin and Paracetamol are, let’s get back to the main question. Can you take Aspirin with Paracetamol? Is it safe to do so?
The answer is yes. It is completely safe to take Aspirin with Paracetamol. You can further confirm this information on the official NHS website, and can also ask your doctor if you’re still in doubt!
What you can’t take with Aspirin, is other anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Ibuprofen, or Naproxen. And what you can’t take with Paracetamol is other drugs containing Paracetamol, as it could lead to an overdose, which is dangerous.
But Paracetamol and Aspirin together are completely compatible, and should cause no issues whatsoever!
If you’re taking both painkillers to treat the same aches and pains, you could switch between them. So you can take Paracetamol, and you can’t take Paracetamol again until after 4 hours.
But in the meantime, say for example after 2 hours, you could take a dosage of Aspirin. That way you’re switching between them, sticking to their recommended dosage while having a continuous flow of painkiller to help you get through the day!
(However, it’s always good to double-check with your doctor, just in case!)
Potential side effects
Although both Paracetamol and Aspirin are some of the safest painkiller drugs to take, there is always the risk of suffering from some of their side effects, some more common than others.
Let’s look at the most common side effects for each, and the main side effects to look out for:
Aspirin side effects
Common side effects:
- Indigestion or an upset stomach
- Bleeding easier than normal (this is because aspirin thins your blood out slightly). This can manifest in more nosebleeds, easier bruises, or taking slightly longer for bleeding of any sort to stop.
Serious side effects to look out for:
- Allergic reaction. You might need immediate treatment in the hospital.
Paracetamol side effects
Common side effects:
- You can check the paracetamol leaflets that come with the tablets to see an exact list of common side effects. But the truth is, if taken right, paracetamol will very rarely cause any side effects whatsoever, and that is why it’s so commonly used by all.
Serious side effects to look out for:
- Allergic reaction. You might need immediate treatment in the hospital.
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