Common painkiller linked to potentially dangerous side effect

Paracetamol is one of the most accessible and widely used Over-the-Counter pain medications in the world. It is generally safe when taken according to dosage. Apart from the risk of poisoning from overdosing on this painkiller, you may not be aware of some potential side effects of this drug such as melena.

What is melena?

Side effects of paracetamol are not common, but a potentially serious complication you can get from taking this drug is melena – blood in your stool. According to drugs.com:

This is caused by bleeding in your upper gastrointestinal (GI) system or large bowel. Your bowel movements may be black or tarry, and have a foul odor. They may also be shiny or sticky.

Some triggers of this condition include stomach ulcers, a tumour in your stomach or oesophagus, use of medicines such as aspirin, blood thinners or to a less extent, paracetamol.

Dr Monika Wassermann, who spoke to Express.co.uk advises that you should see a doctor if you start passing black, tarry stools.

Black tarry stool is among the rare side effects of paracetamol. For this reason, it can be challenging to pinpoint its prevalence.

That being said, you should stop taking the painkiller if you suspect you may have melena.

Paracetamol side effects

Paracetamol very rarely causes side effects if you take it at the right dosage, the NHS says on its website. But as people react differently to medicines, some may experience certain side effects after taking paracetamol. Some of these include:

• allergic reaction, including a rash or swelling
• rash
• blood disorders
• liver and kidney damage (when taken at higher than recommended doses).

However, you should keep in mind that these reactions are rare and that the fact that they are listed here doesn’t mean that paracetamol is responsible for any of these symptoms. As the NHS advises:

If you're worried about a side effect or notice anything unusual, talk to your pharmacist or doctor.

Sources used:

Drugs.com: Melena

Express.co.uk: Paracetamol warning as the painkiller can cause melena - side effect that strikes on loo

Health Direct: Paracetamol

NHS: Paracetamol for adults

Read more:

⋙ This common painkiller can halve your risk of bowel cancer

⋙ Beware of these dangerous side effects of taking common painkillers

⋙ Paracetamol: How many of this common painkiller is safe to take, according to doctors?