Panadol Advance 500mg Tablets (Pack of 16)

Fast-acting paracetamol for everyday pain and fever, in a convenient pack of 16 tablets.

  • 500 mg paracetamol per tablet — a trusted brand from Haleon
  • Fast-disintegrating formula, absorbed quicker than standard paracetamol
  • Relieves headache, toothache, backache, period pain, sore throat and fever
  • Eases the aches, pains and fever of colds and flu
  • Suitable for adults and children aged 10 and over

£2.49

Panadol Advance Paracetamol 500mg

Panadol Advance 500 mg tablets are a fast-acting form of paracetamol for the everyday relief of pain and fever. Each film-coated tablet contains 500 mg of paracetamol in a formulation designed to break down faster than standard tablets, so relief can start sooner. This pack contains 16 tablets, suitable for adults and children aged 10 years and over.

What is Panadol Advance?

It is a branded paracetamol tablet made by Haleon, one of the most widely used painkillers in the UK. Unlike a standard paracetamol tablet, it contains a special disintegrant system that helps the tablet dissolve quickly once swallowed. Paracetamol is a mild analgesic (painkiller) and antipyretic (temperature reducer), and it is gentle on the stomach compared with anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen or aspirin, which makes it a sensible first choice for many people.

What is it used for?

These tablets are licensed to relieve most everyday aches and to bring down a raised temperature. Common uses include headache (including migraine and tension headache), toothache, backache, muscle and rheumatic pain, period pain and sore throat, as well as the fever, aches and pains of colds and flu. They are also recommended for the symptomatic relief of pain from non-serious arthritis. For a sore throat you may wish to combine relief with a targeted product such as Difflam throat spray, and for night-time cold and flu symptoms see Night Nurse Liquid.

How Panadol works

Paracetamol is thought to work mainly in the brain, reducing the production of the chemical messengers (prostaglandins) that signal pain and drive fever. The Advance formulation adds a disintegrant system that speeds up how quickly the tablet breaks apart in the stomach. Scintigraphy data show the tablets generally begin to disintegrate within about five minutes of a dose, and pharmacokinetic studies show paracetamol reaches its therapeutic level in the blood at least 37% faster than with a standard paracetamol tablet. The total amount of paracetamol absorbed is the same — only the speed of early absorption differs.

How to take it

Adults, the elderly and children aged 16 and over: take one or two tablets up to four times a day as needed. Leave at least four hours between doses and do not take more than eight tablets (four doses) in any 24 hours.

Children aged 10–15 years: one tablet up to four times a day, with at least four hours between doses. Not suitable for children under 10 years — use a paracetamol product formulated for younger children instead. Do not give to children for more than three days without speaking to a doctor.

Swallow the tablets with water. Do not exceed the stated dose, and never take them alongside any other product containing paracetamol, as this can lead to a dangerous overdose. If your symptoms last longer than three days, or your pain or fever gets worse, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

How long does it take to work?

Most people feel the effect within 30 to 60 minutes, and blood levels of paracetamol peak around 30 to 60 minutes after a dose. Because of the fast-disintegrating formulation, early absorption is quicker than with an ordinary paracetamol tablet, though the strength and duration of relief are the same. A dose typically lasts around four to six hours.

Side effects and safety

At the recommended dose paracetamol is very well tolerated and side effects are rare. Reported reactions — all very rare — include allergic skin reactions and blood disorders; stop taking the tablets and seek medical advice if you develop a rash or swelling. The most important safety point is never to exceed the stated dose: a paracetamol overdose can cause serious, delayed liver damage even when you feel well at first, so if too much is taken get medical help straight away. People with liver or kidney problems, or who regularly drink a lot of alcohol, should check with a pharmacist or doctor before use, and if you take warfarin regularly, frequent daily paracetamol use can increase the risk of bleeding.

Who should not take it

Do not take these tablets if you are allergic to paracetamol or any of the ingredients, or if you are already taking another paracetamol-containing medicine. Take care and seek advice first if you have liver or kidney disease, are severely underweight or malnourished, or drink alcohol heavily. Paracetamol can be used in pregnancy and while breastfeeding if needed, at the lowest effective dose for the shortest time — if in doubt, ask your pharmacist. You can read more general guidance on the NHS paracetamol page.

Buy Panadol online

Bury Healthcare Online is a UK pharmacy registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC registration 1126145). We dispatch genuine, in-date stock quickly and discreetly. You can browse more painkillers and fever remedies in our pain management range. Always read the label and the patient information leaflet before use.

Medically reviewed by Hassan Khan, MPharm, Independent Prescriber — Superintendent Pharmacist, Bury Healthcare Online (GPhC-registered pharmacy 1126145). Last reviewed: July 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Is Panadol the same as paracetamol?
Yes. Panadol is a brand of paracetamol, and each Panadol Advance tablet contains 500 mg of paracetamol — the same active ingredient as own-brand paracetamol tablets. The Advance version simply uses a formulation that disintegrates faster.
How many tablets can I take at once?
Adults and children aged 16 and over can take one or two 500 mg tablets per dose. Do not take more than two tablets in a single dose or more than eight tablets (four doses) in any 24-hour period.
How often can I take it?
Leave at least four hours between doses, and take no more than four doses in 24 hours. Do not take it with any other medicine that contains paracetamol.
Can I take it with ibuprofen?
Yes. Paracetamol and ibuprofen work in different ways, so they can be taken together or alternated for stronger relief if needed. If you also want an anti-inflammatory, see Nurofen Express (ibuprofen). Stick to the stated dose of each and do not double up on paracetamol.
Do I need to take it with food?
No. Paracetamol can be taken on an empty stomach, as it does not usually irritate the stomach the way anti-inflammatory painkillers can. Swallow the tablets with water.
Is it safe to take in pregnancy?
Paracetamol is generally the preferred painkiller during pregnancy and breastfeeding when a painkiller is needed. Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest time, and ask your pharmacist or midwife if you are unsure.
Can children take Panadol Advance?
These tablets are suitable from age 10. Children aged 10–15 should take one tablet up to four times a day. They are not suitable for children under 10 — use a paracetamol product made for younger children instead.
Can I drink alcohol while taking it?
An occasional drink at the recommended dose is generally fine for most people. However, regularly drinking heavily increases the risk of liver damage from paracetamol, so seek advice from a pharmacist if this applies to you.
What is the difference between Panadol Advance and ordinary paracetamol?
Both contain the same 500 mg of paracetamol and give the same strength and duration of relief. Advance tablets contain a disintegrant system, so they break down and start to be absorbed faster than a standard tablet.
How long can I keep taking it?
For self-treatment, do not take it for more than three days without speaking to a doctor or pharmacist. If your pain or fever persists or gets worse, seek medical advice rather than continuing to dose.

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