Free tool
Can I eat this with Paracetamol?
Paracetamol can be taken with or without food and you can eat and drink normally, including alcohol, when taking it.
Also sold as Abdine Cold Relief, Altridexamol, Anadin Paracetamol, Bell's Hot Blackcurrant Cold Relief Powders, Boots Paracetamol, Calpol Infant, Calpol Infant Original, Calpol Paediatric, Calpol Six Plus, Calpol Six Plus Fastmelts, Children's Lemsip Cold & Flu Blackcurrant, Disprol Paracetamol and 33 more. Brand names from the NHS Dictionary of Medicines and Devices.
Type any food below for an instant verdict — we check 28 foods and drinks for Paracetamol (0 to avoid, 0 to take care with) — or tap one below.
Quick answers
- Should I take Paracetamol with food?
- You can take tablets or capsules with or without food.
Grounded in the checker below. Not a substitute for your pharmacist.
1 · What do you take?
Paracetamol can be taken with or without food and you can eat and drink normally, including alcohol, when taking it.
You can eat and drink normally when taking paracetamol. It can be taken with or without food. Alcohol is fine in normal amounts. Avoid other products containing paracetamol such as cold and flu remedies to prevent taking too much.
Browse our medication food guides →2 · What do you want to eat or drink?
When to take it: You can take tablets or capsules with or without food.
Tap a food to see the answer, or type any food or drink in the box above.
Fine with Paracetamol· 28
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This checker summarises published guidance (NHS medicine pages, patient information leaflets and drug labels) for general information only. It is not medical advice, it is not exhaustive, and it cannot account for your dose, kidney function, other medicines, or health conditions. Always follow your prescriber, pharmacist, or the patient information leaflet — especially before changing what you eat or drink. See our editorial policy.
Further reading on Paracetamol
The pages our answers quote. Every answer shows “Where this comes from” with the exact words, checked 24 September 2026. How we check
NHS website
Paracetamol for adults: painkiller for pain and high temperature
NHS information about paracetamol for adults, including what it's used for, who can use it, how to use it and side effects.
NHS website
Paracetamol for children: medicine for pain and high temperature
NHS information on paracetamol for children, including what it's used for, side effects, how to take it and who can take it.
The Journal
Read our medication food guides →
A full Paracetamol guide is on its way. Meanwhile, the Journal covers timing, grapefruit, alcohol and more.
Food groups that matter with Paracetamol
Every medicine each one affects, on one page.