What do systematic reviews say?

Preoperative paracetamol (acetaminophen) vs placebo

• Preoperative analgesics for additional pain relief in children and adolescents having dental treatment 2016 · Cochrane All outcomes
  No adverse events were recorded in Primosch 1995. The other two studies did not mention adverse events.
  1 study
  GRADE not reported

Paracetamol vs placebo

It is very uncertain whether paracetamol changes adverse events compared with placebo (very low certainty).

• Paracetamol (acetaminophen) or non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs, alone or combined, for pain relief in acute… 2023 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 1.03 [0.21, 4.93]
  1 study · 148 participants
  Very low

Paracetamol 1000 mg vs placebo

• Paracetamol (acetaminophen) for acute treatment of episodic tension‐type headache in adults 2016 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  Studies not reported
  Moderate

Combined paracetamol plus ibuprofen in a single tablet (e.g. paracetamol 1000 mg/ibuprofen 400 mg or 500/200 mg) vs Single drugs given separately (paracetamol 1000 mg or ibuprofen 400 mg)

• Ibuprofen and/or paracetamol (acetaminophen) for pain relief after surgical removal of lower wisdom teeth 2013 · Cochrane All outcomes

  Study period (immediate postoperative)
  The majority of adverse events were minor in nature and usually included nausea, vomiting, headaches and dizziness. Side effect profiles have not been included in a meta-analysis as multiple adverse events were…
  2 studies
  GRADE not reported

Paracetamol 500 mg to 650 mg vs placebo

• Paracetamol (acetaminophen) for acute treatment of episodic tension‐type headache in adults 2016 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  Studies not reported
  Very low

Paracetamol alone, paracetamol plus codeine, or paracetamol plus dihydrocodeine vs placebo

• Paracetamol (acetaminophen) with or without codeine or dihydrocodeine for neuropathic pain in adults 2016 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  Studies not reported
  Very low