Can You Take Dolo 600 for a Headache?
Yes, you can take Dolo 600 (paracetamol/acetaminophen 600 mg) for a headache, but the standard effective dose for adults is 1000 mg, so you would need to take two tablets to achieve optimal efficacy. 1, 2, 3
Dosing Recommendations
For acute headache treatment in adults, take 1000 mg (approximately two Dolo 600 tablets) at headache onset when pain is still mild to moderate for maximum effectiveness 1, 2, 3
You can repeat the dose every 4-6 hours as needed, but never exceed 4000 mg (approximately six Dolo 600 tablets) in 24 hours to avoid severe liver damage 1
The 1000 mg dose provides significantly better efficacy than 500-650 mg doses, with a number needed to treat (NNT) of 5.0 for headache relief at 2 hours 2, 3
Critical Frequency Limitation
Limit paracetamol use to no more than 2 days per week to prevent medication-overuse headache, which paradoxically increases headache frequency and can lead to daily headaches 4, 5
If you need headache medication more than twice weekly, you should be evaluated for preventive therapy rather than relying on acute treatment alone 4, 5
When Paracetamol Works Best
Paracetamol 1000 mg is most effective for tension-type headaches and mild-to-moderate migraines 2, 3, 6
For migraine attacks, paracetamol 1000 mg provides pain-free status at 2 hours with an NNT of 22, and pain-free or mild pain at 2 hours with an NNT of 10 2
For tension-type headaches, paracetamol 1000 mg provides pain-free status at 2 hours with an NNT of 22 3
Enhanced Efficacy Options
Adding caffeine (130 mg) to paracetamol 1000 mg enhances analgesic effect through synergistic mechanisms, making this combination particularly useful for migraine attacks 5, 7
If paracetamol alone is insufficient after 2-3 headache episodes, consider switching to ibuprofen 400-800 mg or naproxen 500-825 mg, which show slightly better efficacy for moderate-to-severe headaches 5, 6
Safety Considerations
Paracetamol is safe with adverse event rates similar to placebo in clinical trials, making it appropriate for adults with cardiovascular comorbidities where NSAIDs may be contraindicated 2, 3, 7
Avoid paracetamol if you have liver disease, consume 3 or more alcoholic drinks daily, or are taking other medications containing acetaminophen 1
Stop use and seek medical attention if headache persists beyond 10 days, worsens, or is accompanied by fever, rash, or new symptoms 1