10 surprising ways paracetamol can harm your health

Liver damage Chronic use of paracetamol can overload the liver, leading to toxicity or even liver failure, especially when combined with alcohol or taken above the recommended daily dosage.

Kidney impairment Long-term paracetamol use may reduce kidney function over time, increasing the risk of chronic kidney disease, particularly when combined with dehydration or other nephrotoxic medications.

Increased blood pressure Studies suggest regular paracetamol intake can elevate blood pressure, potentially increasing the risk of heart-related issues, especially in people with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions.

Masking underlying illnesses Frequent use may suppress symptoms like pain or fever, delaying diagnosis and treatment of serious underlying health issues, which can worsen conditions over time.

Gastrointestinal issues Though gentler than NSAIDs, regular paracetamol use may still cause nausea, indigestion or abdominal discomfort, especially on an empty stomach or in sensitive individuals.

Allergic reactions Though rare, chronic use can lead to allergic responses like rashes, itching or swelling and in severe cases, anaphylaxis requiring immediate medical attention.

Toxic skin reactions In rare cases, paracetamol can cause severe skin reactions like Stevens-Johnson Syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis, both of which are life-threatening and require urgent care.

Drug interactions Paracetamol can interact with other medications like warfarin, increasing bleeding risk or with alcohol, amplifying liver toxicity, making regular unsupervised use potentially dangerous.

Dependency and misuse Though not addictive in the traditional sense, frequent users may rely on paracetamol for minor discomforts, leading to habitual overuse and neglect of healthier pain management options.

Impaired immune response Some research indicates chronic use might weaken the immune response to infections by suppressing fever, a natural defence mechanism, possibly prolonging illness or complicating recovery.

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