Painamol is a paracetamol product — 500 mg tablets or a 120 mg per 5 ml syrup — used for mild to moderate pain and fever. Painamol Plus additionally contains codeine 8 mg, so check which one you have. Never take it alongside another paracetamol product.
What is Painamol?
Painamol contains paracetamol, known internationally as acetaminophen. The range includes:
| Product | Contains | Schedule |
|---|---|---|
| Painamol tablets | Paracetamol 500 mg | S1 |
| Painamol syrup | Paracetamol 120 mg per 5 ml | S1 |
| Painamol Plus | Paracetamol 500 mg + codeine 8 mg | S2 |
That last row is the one to check. Painamol Plus contains an opioid, and it carries dependence and drowsiness cautions the plain product does not. The names differ by one word and the boxes look similar.
Paracetamol acts mainly within the central nervous system, reducing how pain is perceived and lowering a raised temperature. It has little effect on inflammation in the tissues — the property that separates it from ibuprofen and diclofenac.
That apparent limitation is what makes paracetamol so widely usable. Anti-inflammatories block prostaglandins, and those same prostaglandins protect the stomach lining, support kidney blood flow and influence blood pressure. Paracetamol largely bypasses that pathway, avoiding the stomach, kidney, heart and asthma cautions that limit NSAIDs.
The same ingredient is sold as Panado, Napamol, Donapan, Zypol, Cetapon and Painamol — one medicine under many names.
What is Painamol commonly used for?
- Headache, including tension headache.
- Backache and muscular aches.
- Toothache, as relief while awaiting dental treatment.
- Period pain, though an anti-inflammatory is often more effective here.
- Cold and flu symptoms — the aches and fever, not the infection.
- Fever, in adults and, at the syrup strength, in children.
- Osteoarthritis pain, particularly where NSAIDs are unsuitable.
- Pain after minor injury or a procedure.
For the syrup and children, dose by weight using the measuring device supplied, and check the concentration on the bottle — paediatric paracetamol comes in more than one strength in South Africa, and millilitres for one are not millilitres for another.
Getting the most from it is partly about timing: paracetamol works better taken regularly at the stated intervals over a defined period than sporadically once pain has built. That is different from taking it indefinitely — it relieves the symptom without treating the cause.
How Painamol fits into this medicine category
| Group | Examples | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Simple analgesics | Paracetamol (Painamol, Donapan, Panado) | Pain and fever; little anti-inflammatory action |
| Anti-inflammatories | Ibuprofen, diclofenac | Also reduces inflammation; stomach and kidney cautions |
| COX-2 selective | Meloxicam | Anti-inflammatory, gentler on the stomach |
| Paracetamol + codeine | Painamol Plus, Cogesic | Stronger; opioid cautions |
| Compound analgesics | Mybulen, Gen-Payne | Paracetamol plus codeine and an NSAID |
See the pain, inflammation and musculoskeletal medicines hub.
What to check before using Painamol
Check whether you have Painamol or Painamol Plus. The Plus contains codeine — an opioid — which means drowsiness, constipation, and dependence with regular use. Do not assume from the name.
Read the active ingredients of everything else you are taking. Paracetamol is in cold and flu sachets, sinus preparations, cough mixtures and prescription painkillers containing codeine. Taking Painamol on top of any of those means taking paracetamol twice — the commonest route to accidental overdose.
Observe the interval between doses and the maximum in 24 hours.
Speak to a pharmacist or doctor if:
- You have liver disease, or drink alcohol heavily.
- You have kidney disease.
- You weigh under 50 kg, or are malnourished or eating very little.
- You are buying for a child — use the syrup, dose by weight, and use the measure supplied.
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding. Paracetamol is generally the preferred painkiller, but codeine is avoided when breastfeeding, so the Plus is not suitable.
- You take warfarin.
- For Painamol Plus specifically: you have breathing problems, a history of dependence, or the medicine is for someone under 12.
Follow the pack instructions. This page does not set doses.
Possible cautions and when to ask a pharmacist or doctor
Paracetamol overdose is a medical emergency, and it gives no early warning. Someone who has taken too much may feel entirely well for a day or more while serious liver damage develops. By the time nausea, abdominal pain or jaundice appear, the antidote is far less effective.
If too much has been taken — accidental or otherwise, even if the person feels completely fine — go to an emergency department immediately with the packaging. Do not wait for symptoms.
Taken as directed, paracetamol is well tolerated and side effects are uncommon. Allergic reactions are rare: stop and seek attention for a rash, facial or lip swelling, or difficulty breathing.
If you have Painamol Plus, use it for a few days only. Codeine causes dependence with regular use, and the pattern is typically someone who started with genuine pain and continued. Restlessness, aching, sweating or anxiety when going without are withdrawal symptoms, routinely mistaken for the original pain returning.
Do not take it for more than a few days for a new pain without advice.
Watch the headache trap. Taking a painkiller for headache on most days can produce medication overuse headache, sustained by the treatment itself.
See a doctor if pain lasts beyond a few days, if fever persists past three days or returns, if pain is severe, or if other symptoms appear — a rash, stiff neck, breathlessness or confusion. Use a lower threshold for children and older adults.
Related medicine guides
- Browse Pain, Inflammation & Musculoskeletal Medicines guides
- Read: Prednisone used for
- Read: Donapan used for
Frequently asked questions
What is Painamol used for? Mild to moderate pain — headache, backache, toothache, period pain, body aches — and fever. It contains paracetamol.
What is the difference between Painamol and Painamol Plus? Plus additionally contains codeine 8 mg, an opioid. It is stronger but causes drowsiness and constipation, and leads to dependence with regular use.
Is it the same as Panado? The active ingredient is the same. Brands differ, and they must never be taken together.
Can I take it with a cold and flu remedy? Check the ingredients first. Most contain paracetamol already, and combining them doubles the dose.
Can I give the syrup to my child? Yes, dosed by weight using the measure supplied. Check the concentration on your bottle — paediatric strengths differ.
What if I have taken too much? Go to an emergency department immediately with the packaging, even if you feel well. Liver damage develops without early symptoms.