CLAIM: Paracetamol is the most harmful medicine in the world and should be avoided

FACT: Paracetamol is safe when used as directed by medical professionals; risks arise only from overdose or misuse

A podcast shared by @vatsalasingh in a tweet on December 3, 2024 describes paracetamol as the world’s most harmful medicine. The account has 269k followers, and the tweet has garnered nearly 15k views. The podcast was also posted on Instagram by jctrengclips on September 3, 2024. The video, titled "Most Harmful Medicine in the World," has received 97.2k likes, 5.2 million views, and over 342k shares.  

"if you consume a tablet when you have fever/cold then your kidney will fail, liver will fail, .. like nowadays people are falling dead when they're standing .. I mean if in the world there's a worst tablet, then it is paracetamol,” says the interviewee Dr Manish Ji.

”It's the world's worst tablet, has the most side effects. 40 countries have done research on this that if we were to write a book on the world's worst tablet, it will be given to paracetamol, Dolo 650 will be awarded. So, this tablet is so bad and we keep giving our kids when they're down with fever," he adds.

What’s the fact?

Medical experts see paracetamol as the safe drug if taken under medical supervision.

"Paracetamol is the most widely used prescription drug anywhere in the world I would guess. There is no question about its safety, and I'm not commenting on any particular brand or company but the general drug,” Dr Kumar Deepak, a physiologist from AIIMS New Delhi told First Check.  “It is completely safe and should be taken when prescribed.” 

He continued: “The problem we have in India isof self-medicating and I strongly discourage it. People should not be consuming tablets as and when they like, that is not an advisable practice."

Dr Deepak dismissed the opinion that taking paracetamol might lead to organ failure or similar serious issues.

"These claims have no basis, paracetamol taken in the normal dosage cannot lead to any such issue,” he said. “This is why I mentioned earlier, prescription is important, people need to consult a doctor. I reiterate, people should go to the doctor."

Also read: FACT CHECK: Is paracetamol the right first-aid for fever? - First Check