Is it okay to take Panadol with vitamin C? Drug interactions to watch out for

When we feel headache or fever, we often tend to use pain relievers like Panadol and vitamin C supplements to promote health. However, whether using a combination of these two types at the same time is safe and effective is a matter of great concern.

In this article, we will go into detail about taking a combination of Panadol and vitamins, their benefits and important considerations when using them. Let's find out to have information to help you take better care of your health!

Learn about vitamin C and Panadol

The important role of vitamin C in health

The important role of vitamin C has been proven through many studies. It not only plays an antioxidant role, but also has other important effects such as collagen creation, cardiovascular disease prevention, immune system enhancement, neurotransmitter synthesis, detoxification, good coordination in the use of iron, calcium and folic acid.

• Antioxidant: Vitamin C participates in the antioxidant defense system in the body, helping to convert oxidizing agents into harmless substances and eliminate them in the urine. It also supports vitamin E recovery to maintain antioxidant capacity.
• Creating collagen: Vitamin C is essential in the synthesis of collagen, an important protein component in connective tissue, bones, teeth, skin, and scar tissue. Problems such as difficulty healing scars and defects in the formation of bones and teeth can be caused by a lack of vitamin C, which reduces the ability to synthesize collagen.
• Prevention of cardiovascular disease: Vitamin C helps maintain strong blood vessels, especially important for blood vessels that feed the heart. It helps convert cholesterol into bile acids, lowers bad cholesterol (LDL-C) and increases good cholesterol (HDL-C). In addition, it helps limit hypertension and prevents blood clots to reduce the risk of blood clots.
• Boosts Immune System: Vitamin C helps fight pathogens by assisting in the production of interferon - necessary for the functioning of immune cells, including T cells and white blood cells, thereby enhancing immune function. outbreaks and allergic reactions.
• Neurotransmitter Synthesis: Vitamin C plays an important role in the creation of neurotransmitters such as Norepinephrine, Serotonin and the amino acid Tyrosine. It is found in high concentrations in brain tissue and adrenal glands.
• Detoxification: Vitamin C participates in the detoxification system of many drugs in the body, reducing their toxicity and converting toxic particles into a form that can be excreted in the urine. In addition, vitamin C makes heavy metals harmless by combining with them

Vitamin C helps with anti-oxidant and collagen synthesis

Therapeutic uses of Panadol

Panadol is available in different dosage forms and concentrations of active ingredients. The dosage forms of Panadol include:

• Tablets for oral use with the content of paracetamol 500mg .
• Panadol effervescent tablets with paracetamol content 500mg and 120mg for children. 
• In addition, there is a combination form of Panadol with caffeine to reduce the feeling of drowsiness when using.

Panadol contains the active ingredient paracetamol, a pain reliever and fever reducer. This medicine is effective in reducing fever and alleviating painful symptoms such as headache, myalgia, osteoarthritis, dysmenorrhea, sore throat, musculoskeletal pain and pain after vaccination. In addition, Panadol is also used to relieve toothache, pain after tooth extraction or dental surgery.

Panadol is often used to treat pain, reduce fever effectively

Is it okay to take Panadol with vitamin C?

Painkillers and vitamin C work well in combination because vitamin C has anti-inflammatory properties that enhance the effects of pain relievers like Panadol. At the same time, vitamin C also protects the liver and kidneys from damage caused by the side effects of pain relievers. The use of both products can prolong the effect of pain medication and reduce the need for additional pain medication. 

Currently, Panadol and vitamin C are two products that can be used together. However, if you have any liver and kidney problems, consult your doctor before taking these two products together.

Interactions to watch out for with Panadol and vitamin C

Note some interactions when using Panadol

Panadol with the main active ingredient is Paracetamol, so the interaction of the drug is the interaction caused by the main active ingredient.

Long-term use of high doses of paracetamol may slightly increase the anticoagulant effect of coumarin and indandion. 

Drinking too much alcohol over a long period of time can increase the risk of liver damage with paracetamol use.

Anticonvulsants (phenytoin, barbiturates, carbamazepine) can induce liver enzymes, increasing the hepatotoxicity of paracetamol by increasing the metabolism of the drug into substances that are toxic to the liver. In addition, the use of isoniazid with paracetamol may also increase the risk of liver damage, but the exact mechanism of this interaction has not been determined. The risk of liver damage from paracetamol is significantly increased in people taking higher than recommended doses of paracetamol while taking anticonvulsants or isoniazid.

Probenecid may decrease the elimination of paracetamol and increase the plasma plasma time of paracetamol.

Anti-tuberculosis drugs and isoniazid may increase the toxicity of paracetamol to the liver.

Panadol may interact with certain other medications

Note some interactions when taking vitamin C

People may experience side effects of vitamin C when used with certain medications or when there are health problems that affect the absorption of this vitamin.

• Beta-lactam antibiotics (penicillin, ampicillin, amoxicillin): Vitamin C can destroy the beta-lactam ring of antibiotics, reducing the effectiveness of treatment.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ( NSAIDs ) such as aspirin: Taking vitamin C at the same time as aspirin can cause aspirin poisoning.
• Aluminum-containing antacids (maalox, gaviscon ): Vitamin C may increase the amount of aluminum absorbed by the body, increasing the risk of side effects from this medication.
• Sedatives (phenobarbital, pentobarbital, secobarbital): Vitamin C may decrease the effect of sedatives.
• Chemotherapy drugs: Vitamin C can affect how some chemotherapy drugs work. 
• Oral contraceptives and hormone replacement (HRT): Vitamin C can interact with and increase estrogen levels, reducing the effects of vitamin C.
• HIV medications: Vitamin C may decrease the effectiveness of indinavir, a medicine that treats HIV and AIDS.
• Anticoagulants (heparin, warfarin): Vitamin C counteracts the anticoagulant effects of this drug. 
• Other medications: Long-term use of a lot of vitamin C can form a combination of oxalic acid and calcium salts, increasing the risk of kidney stones.

Note some drugs interact with vitamin C 

In short, is it okay to take Panadol with vitamin C ? The answer is yes, these two products are completely compatible with each other. Also, to be on the safe side, talk to your doctor before using vitamin C in combination with any other medication.