Panadol is the GlaxoSmithKline trade name for paracetamol (INN) ( /ˌpærəˈsiːtəmɒl/ or /ˌpærəˈsɛtəmɒl/) or acetaminophen (USAN) i/əˌsiːtəˈmɪnəfɨn/, which is an over the counter (OTC) pharmaceutical analgesic (pain reliever) and antipyretic (fever reducer).
In 1955, Panadol was introduced to hospitals in the United Kingdom.[1] It was first marketed by Phillips, Scott & Turner, which was acquired by Frederick Stearns & Co, a subsidiary of Sterling Drug Inc.[2] It was advertised as being "gentle on the stomach", since other analgesic agents at the time contained aspirin, a known stomach irritant. Panadol was originally available only by prescription in the UK, but is now available over the counter. In 1988 Sterling Winthrop was acquired by Eastman Kodak which sold the over the counter drug rights to SmithKline Beecham in 1994.[3]
Panadol is sold in four forms:
Panadol Extra contains caffeine (65 mg) which enhances the analgesic effect of paracetamol.[4]