Febricet tablets, syrup and suppositories – paracetamol for pain and fever

Febricet is a medicine made by Hemofarm containing paracetamol, an active substance from the group of analgesics (painkillers) and antipyretics (medicines that lower raised body temperature).

In Serbia it is authorised in three forms with different uses and dosing: 500 mg tablets (adults and children from 10 years), 120 mg/5 mL syrup (children from 2 months to 12 years) and 200 mg suppositories (children weighing 12–16 kg, aged 2 to 5 years). All forms are available without a prescription.

What is Febricet used for and how should it be dosed correctly?

Key facts about the medicine

What is Febricet used for?

• 500 mg tablets: mild to moderate pain – headache, migraine, neuralgia, toothache, sore throat, period pain; symptomatic relief of strains, sprains and rheumatic pain; flu, feverishness and colds with raised temperature.
• 120 mg/5 mL syrup (children): teething pain, toothache and sore throat; lowering fever with colds, flu and childhood infections (chickenpox, whooping cough, measles, mumps); fever after vaccination.
• 200 mg suppositories (children 12–16 kg): mild to moderately severe pain and/or fever – headache, toothache, muscle pain, flu-like conditions.

How is it taken and dosed?

Febricet 500 mg tablets (oral):

Febricet 120 mg/5 mL syrup (oral, always with the spoon provided; shake the bottle for at least 10 seconds):

Febricet 200 mg suppositories (rectal, children 12–16 kg, approximately 2–5 years): 1 suppository, repeated after 6 hours if needed, maximum 4 suppositories daily (about 15 mg/kg every 6 hours; minimum interval 4 hours). In severe kidney failure the interval is at least 8 hours. Suppositories are not recommended in diarrhoea; use should be as short as possible and replaced by an oral form as soon as possible.

• Do not exceed 4 doses in 24 hours and keep at least 4 hours between doses.
• Tablets and syrup no longer than 3 days without medical advice; suppositories no longer than 3 days for fever and 5 days for pain.
• Always use the lowest dose that relieves symptoms; if you or your child do not feel better, see a doctor.

Special patient groups

• Babies: the syrup must not be given to babies under 2 months; for premature babies under 3 months consult a doctor.
• Children of other body weights: other paracetamol forms with a more suitable dose exist instead of the suppositories – ask a doctor or pharmacist.
• Liver and kidney disease, dehydration, malnutrition: medical advice is needed before use.
• Elderly: the adult dosing applies to the tablets.

Contraindications – when the medicine must not be used

• allergy (hypersensitivity) to paracetamol or any of the excipients;
• concomitant use of another paracetamol-containing medicine;
• suppositories: severe liver disease, recent inflammation of the rectum or anus, bleeding from the bowel.

Warnings and precautions

• Tell your doctor about severe liver or kidney disease (including alcohol-related liver disease), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, dehydration, malnutrition, body weight under 50 kg (suppositories), chronic viral hepatitis, HIV infection, cystic fibrosis or Gilbert’s syndrome.
• In severe illness (severe kidney impairment, sepsis), malnutrition, chronic alcoholism or with flucloxacillin, metabolic acidosis may occur – serious, deep and rapid breathing, drowsiness, nausea and vomiting require urgent assessment.
• If you have previously had breathing difficulties after aspirin or NSAIDs, a similar reaction may occur with paracetamol.
• Suppositories may interfere with blood uric acid and blood sugar tests; in acute viral hepatitis treatment should be stopped.
• Excipients: tablets contain hydrogenated castor oil (possible stomach upset and diarrhoea); the syrup contains sucrose and 100 mg ethanol per 5 mL (caution in liver disease, epilepsy, alcoholism).

Interactions with other medicines, food and drink

Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines. According to the leaflets, the following are particularly important:

• other paracetamol-containing medicines (risk of overdose);
• metoclopramide or domperidone (nausea and vomiting); colestyramine (cholesterol);
• anticoagulants, e.g. warfarin – INR monitoring is needed with maximum doses for more than 4 days;
• chloramphenicol (antibiotic);
• flucloxacillin – serious risk of metabolic acidosis requiring urgent treatment;
• medicines potentially toxic to the liver – antiepileptics (phenobarbital, phenytoin, carbamazepine, topiramate) and rifampicin.

Long-term alcohol use increases the risk of liver damage; alcohol is not recommended during use.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

If necessary, paracetamol can be used during pregnancy – at the lowest dose that relieves pain or lowers fever and for the shortest time; see a doctor if there is no improvement or the medicine is needed more often. Paracetamol passes into breast milk but not in clinically significant amounts – use during breast-feeding is not contraindicated. Paracetamol may reversibly affect ovulation.

Driving and using machines

There are no data showing that paracetamol affects the ability to drive and use machines.

Possible side effects

Side effects of paracetamol are rare or very rare. Stop use and contact a doctor immediately in case of:

• difficulty breathing, rash, swelling of the face, lips, throat or tongue (severe allergic reaction, anaphylaxis, angioedema);
• severe rash, redness, blistering or peeling of the skin, mouth ulcers (Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis);
• bruising, nose or gum bleeding or frequent infections (low platelet or white blood cell counts);
• liver function disorders.

Hives, bronchospasm in people sensitive to aspirin/NSAIDs, fixed drug eruption, haemolytic anaemia in G6PD deficiency and metabolic acidosis in severely ill patients are also possible. Suppositories may cause rectal or anal irritation. After an allergic reaction, paracetamol-containing medicines should not be used again.

Overdose, missed dose and stopping treatment

• Overdose: contact a doctor, pharmacist or the nearest healthcare facility immediately, even without symptoms, because of the risk of delayed severe liver damage. Early symptoms in the first 24 hours may include pallor, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and abdominal pain.
• Missed dose: take it as soon as possible; if it is nearly time for the next one, continue with the usual regimen. Do not take a double dose or exceed the maximum daily dose.
• Stopping: stop and see a doctor if fever lasts longer than 3 days, pain longer than 5 days (suppositories) or 3 days (tablets, syrup), or if symptoms worsen or new ones appear.

Related information

For monitoring raised body temperature, see also the Thermometers – digital and non-contact category – products in this category do not replace the medicine.

Composition, pack and manufacturer

• Tablets: each tablet contains 500 mg paracetamol; excipients – gelatin, macrogol 6000, talc, croscarmellose sodium, hydrogenated castor oil, microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate. White round tablets; carton with 2 strips (Al/PE) of 6 tablets (12).
• Syrup: 5 mL contain 120 mg paracetamol; excipients – propylene glycol, sucrose, methylcellulose 15 cP, hydroxyethylcellulose 5500 cP, ethanol 96%, potassium sorbate, saccharin sodium dihydrate, citric acid monohydrate, cherry flavour, purified water. Clear, colourless to light brownish-yellow solution; brown 100 mL glass bottle with child-resistant cap and plastic spoon.
• Suppositories: each suppository contains 200 mg paracetamol; excipients – medium-chain triglycerides (Miglyol 812), polysorbate 80, colloidal anhydrous silica, hard fat (Witepsol H15). White, torpedo-shaped; 1 strip (PVC/PE) of 5 suppositories.
• Marketing authorisation holder and manufacturer: Hemofarm AD Vršac, Beogradski put bb, Vršac, Serbia.

Storage

• Tablets: store below 25 °C in the original package to protect from light and moisture; shelf life 3 years.
• Syrup: store below 25 °C in the original package to protect from light; use within 6 months of first opening; shelf life 3 years.
• Suppositories: store below 25 °C in the original package to protect from light; shelf life 3 years.
• Keep out of the sight and reach of children. Return unused medicine to a pharmacy that collects unused medicines.

Frequently asked questions

How much Febricet syrup can I give my child?

The dose depends on age: e.g. 5 mL for 6–24 months, 7.5 mL for 2–4 years, 10 mL for 4–8 years, up to 4 times daily at least 4 hours apart. Special rules apply to babies aged 2–3 months, and the syrup must not be given under 2 months. Always use the spoon provided.

How many Febricet tablets can an adult take per day?

Adults and children over 16 take 1–2 tablets every 4–6 hours, up to a maximum of 8 tablets (4 g paracetamol) daily, for no longer than 3 days without medical advice.

Can I combine Febricet with other cold remedies?

Only if they do not contain paracetamol. Many combination cold and flu products contain paracetamol, and using them together can lead to overdose and liver damage. Ask your pharmacist.

Which children are Febricet suppositories for?

For children weighing 12 to 16 kg (about 2 to 5 years): 1 suppository every 6 hours as needed, maximum 4 daily. They are not recommended in diarrhoea; other paracetamol forms are available for children of other weights.

Sources

• ALIMS – Summary of Product Characteristics, Febricet® 500 mg tablets (SmPC, Serbian)
• ALIMS – Package leaflet, Febricet® 500 mg tablets (PIL, Serbian)
• ALIMS – Summary of Product Characteristics, Febricet® 120 mg/5 mL syrup (SmPC, Serbian)
• ALIMS – Package leaflet, Febricet® 120 mg/5 mL syrup (PIL, Serbian)
• ALIMS – Summary of Product Characteristics, Febricet® 200 mg suppositories (SmPC, Serbian)
• ALIMS – Package leaflet, Febricet® 200 mg suppositories (PIL, Serbian)

Sources checked on: 25 October 2026.