Managing COVID-19 symptoms and post-vaccination symptoms with paracetamol

What you should know about paracetamol and COVID-19. Get the facts.

Information you can trust

Paracetamol has more than 60 years of history as a treatment for fever and mild to moderate pain, but what are the for its use during the COVID-19 pandemic?

To support you at this difficult time, we have drawn together guidance from health authorities around the world, giving you all the information you need on COVID-19 and paracetamol in one place.

Managing COVID-19 symptomsParacetamol is recommended by public health authorities as part of the symptomatic treatment of COVID-19. Patients presenting symptoms of COVID-19 infection should seek appropriate medical advice and follow local guidance. Read more from the World Health Organisation and European Medicines Agency

Paracetamol use post COVID-19 vaccinationHealth authorities around the world recommend the use of paracetamol to treat fever and mild pain symptoms following vaccination. Read more from the NHS and CDC.

General paracetamol advicePatients should always read and follow the label and should never take more than one paracetamol-containing product at one time. Patients should always use the lowest dose and shortest duration of paracetamol needed to effectively relieve their symptoms, and should contact a doctor or pharmacist if in any doubt.

Your questions answered

  • Is paracetamol effective in treating COVID-19?

    No, paracetamol does not treat COVID-19, however appropriate use of paracetamol is currently being recommended by public health authorities, including the World Health Organisation, as part of the symptomatic treatment of COVID-19, to reduce fever and provide relief from mild to moderate pain.1

    Paracetamol is a well-established treatment for fever reduction and mild to moderate pain relief in adults and children over one month old*. It has been available for more than 60 years and is used by millions of patients worldwide.

  • What advice does GSK Consumer Healthcare offer about using products containing paracetamol to treat COVID-19?

    Paracetamol does not treat COVID-19, however appropriate use of paracetamol is currently being recommended by public health authorities, including the World Health Organisation, as part of the symptomatic treatment of COVID-19, to reduce fever and provide relief from mild to moderate pain.1Patients should always use medicines as directed on the product label and use the lowest dose needed for the shortest period of time to control symptoms. Patients should never take more than one paracetamol-containing product at the same time.If in any doubt, patients should consult a doctor or pharmacist for advice.

  • Should I recommend paracetamol instead of ibuprofen to treat COVID-19?

    Neither paracetamol nor ibuprofen treat COVID-19, but both can be helpful in managing the fever and pain that some patients might experience with the disease.Appropriate use of ibuprofen and paracetamol is currently being recommended by most public health authorities as part of the symptomatic treatment of COVID-19, to reduce fever and provide relief from mild to moderate pain.1Patients should always carefully follow the instructions for use and never take more than one paracetamol-containing product at the same time. If in any doubt, patients should consult a doctor or pharmacist for advice.

  • Can children take paracetamol for COVID-19?

    Paracetamol is a well-established treatment for fever reduction and mild to moderate pain relief in adults and children over two month old*.Appropriate use of paracetamol is currently being recommended by public health authorities, including the World Health Organisation, as part of the symptomatic treatment of COVID-19, to reduce fever and to provide relief from mild to moderate pain.Instructions for use must always be carefully followed and children should never be given more than one paracetamol-containing product at the same time. If in any doubt, patients should consult a doctor or pharmacist for advice.

  • Can patients take paracetamol to relieve symptoms following COVID-19 vaccination?

    Patients should carefully read and follow the post-vaccination information or instructions provided to them by their healthcare professional at the time of vaccination, including any recommendations about the use of paracetamol to relieve pain and fever symptoms that they might experience following vaccination. If in any doubt, patients should consult a doctor or pharmacist for further advice.The appropriate use of paracetamol is recommended by public health authorities to help relieve mild pain and fever symptoms that may be experienced following vaccination.4,5

  • Should patients be concerned about taking paracetamol following COVID-19 vaccination?

    Patients should carefully read and follow the post-vaccination information or instructions provided to them at the time of vaccination, including any recommendations about the use of paracetamol to relieve pain and fever symptoms that they might experience following vaccination. If in any doubt, patients should consult a doctor or pharmacist for further advice.After any vaccination injection, individuals may experience localised pain in the days following, as well as other symptoms, such as headache, fever, and myalgia that can cause substantial discomfort.9 The appropriate use of medicines such as paracetamol to relieve pain and fever symptoms sometimes experienced following vaccination is well documented 6-8, and public health authorities recommend appropriate use of paracetamol to treat these symptoms following COVID-19 vaccination.4,5

  • Does paracetamol blunt the immune response to the COVID-19 vaccine?

    Patients who are already taking paracetamol to manage pain or fever symptoms should consult their healthcare professional ahead of any planned vaccination.Currently, GSK is not aware of any evidence or public health advice that suggests use of paracetamol to manage fever and pain prior to receiving the COVID-19 vaccine has an impact on the immune response post-vaccination. We continue to closely monitor the evolving data relating to COVID-19 vaccinations.After any vaccination injection, individuals may experience localised pain in the days following, and other symptoms, such as headache, fever, and myalgia that can cause substantial discomfort.9 The appropriate use of paracetamol is recommended by public health authorities, to help relieve pain and fever symptoms that may be experienced following COVID-19 vaccination.4,5

    Patients should carefully read and follow the post-vaccination information or instructions provided to them at the time of vaccination, including any recommendations about the use of paracetamol to relieve pain and fever symptoms that some patients might experience following a COVID-19 vaccination. If in any doubt, patients should consult a doctor or pharmacist for further advice.

  • Can patients take paracetamol before their COVID-19 vaccination to help prevent pain or fever that they may get as a result?

    Currently there is no recommendation to take paracetamol ahead of receiving a COVID-19 vaccination as a preventative measure to avoid potential symptoms of pain and fever afterwards.However, pain and fever symptoms that some people might experience following a COVID-19 vaccination may be relieved by the use of medicines such as paracetamol. The appropriate use of paracetamol is recommended by public health authorities to help relieve mild pain and fever symptoms that may be experienced following vaccination.4,5Patients should carefully read and follow the post-vaccination information or instructions provided to them at the time of vaccination, including any recommendations about the use of paracetamol to relieve pain and fever symptoms that they might experience following a COVID-19 vaccination. If in any doubt, patients should consult a doctor or pharmacist for further advice.

FIND OUT MORE

Vaccination Symptoms