*Introduction*

I bought Panadol Extra Soluble Tablets following a recommendation from a colleague when I had a very bad sore throat a few weeks ago. A trip to Tesco found me buying this product and I can definitely pass on this recommendation to others following a positive experience.

*What Are They?*

Panadol Extra Soluble Tablets based on a combination of Paracetamol and Caffeine provide effective pain relief and also to help to reduce temperature. Panadol Extra Soluble Tablets claim to be extra effective pain relief that are fast acting and easy on the stomach. They are manufactured and packed by GlaxoSmithKline.

*What Are They For?*

These soluble tablets can be used for the following:
- headaches, migraines and toothaches
- sore throat
- feverishness and neuralgia
- to help reduce temperature and for aches and pains of colds and flu
- backache and rheumatic pain
- period pain

*How Do They Work?*

Panadol Extra Soluble Tablets contains paracetamol which is an analgesic (pain killer) and antipyretic (helps to reduce body temperature when you have a fever). It also contains caffeine which acts to further help the effectiveness of paracetamol.

*Directions*

To take these tablets, they must be dissolved before use. Take 2 tablets and drop them into a full glass of water. This usually takes about one minute to dissolve and it is then ready for you to drink down. This is no easy feat. I will be brutally honest in saying that the taste of this makes it very difficult to swallow. I gag with every mouthful that I take of this but it works and makes you feel 100 times better once taken. For the best effects, gargle before swallowing. That is my top tip anyway.

*Frequency of Use*

These are to be taken every four hours. Ensure that you do not take this more frequently than every four hours and no more than 8 tablets may be consumed per day.

*Who Can't Use the Tablets?*

There are various people that Panadol Extra Soluble Tablets are not to be taken by. These are:
- Children under the age of 12
- if you are sensitive to paracetamol, caffeine, or to any of the other ingredients
- Sufferers of severe liver or kidney problems
- If you are taking metoclopramide or domperidone - used to treat nausea and vomiting
- If you are taking cholestyramine - used to treat high cholesterol.

Ensure that you do not take Panadol Extra Soluble Tablets with any other paracetamol-containing products. Also avoid drinking too much coffee or tea when taking these tablets. Also, seek advice before using if you are breast feeding, pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or suffer from allergies.

If you overdose, immediate medical advice should be sought after.

*Side Effects*

Generally most people taking Panadol Extra Soluble Tablets find they don't suffer from side effects however occasionally people may suffer allergic reactions, for example skin rash.

If you get any of these side effects, stop taking the tablets and if you are worried inform your doctor. I personally haven't suffered from any side effects when taking this product.

*The Packaging*

Panadol Extra Soluble Tablets are packaged in a red coloured box with the title of the product clearly stated on five of the six sides. On the front of this box is a picture of the tablets dissolving and on the back of the carton are instructions on how to take these tablets and what for. Inside the box is a leaflet which contains all of the details about the product that you should know about.

In one box of Panadol Extra Soluble Tablets, you get a total of 24 tablets and inside the box are packs of two tablets in foil with a perforated edge separating them. They are easy to open and I like the packaging a lot. These are the perfectly small size to have in the side pocket of your handbag to carry around or even have in an inner jacket pocket.

*The Contents*

In the box you get 12 separate packs of two tablets. Panadol Extra Soluble Tablets are film coated, round tablets with the name on one side of the tablet and the other a bevel edge. When you drop these into a glass of cold water they fizzle and dissolve fairly quickly to make the water look a little cloudy. If the tablet doesn't fully dissolve, swirl the glass around and that should work.

So what does it taste like? Unpleasant. I'm not going to lie and say it was fine because I really disliked the medicinal taste but I held my noise, gargled and swallowed as quickly as I could. And then followed this up by have a glass of orange squash to take the lingering taste away.

*How Much Are They? And Where Can You Buy Them?*

Panadol Extra Soluble Tablets are priced at £3.99 for 24 tablets. I think that this is a really reasonable price and as the product works so quickly you should only need to buy two boxes before you are cured.

These tablets are pretty easy to find. They are sold in a muber of shops from supermarkets like Tesco, Asda, Sainsburys to stores like Boots, Superdrug and Wilkinsons. And if you can't find them in there, your local chemist is bound to stock them. And if you prefer to buy them via the internet you can visit www.Boots.com and have them delivered to your house.

*Do They Work and Would I Recommend Them?*

Well this is the most significant piece of information in my review and it is a resounding yes. I bought Panadol Extra Soluble Tablets to get rid of the sore throat that I was suffering from and they fulfilled this task well. The first time that you use these tablets is probably the most effective. Almost all of the pain of your sore throat has gone away although it does return about 4 hours later which is when you are to take the next dose. I find that they have effectively cured you after using them for about 4-5 days.

If you are suffering with a sore throat then I would without doubt recommend Panadol Extra Soluble Tablets. They work quickly and effectively to make you feel like your throat feel more normal and less like it is being cut with a knife.

*Overall*

Panadol Extra Soluble Tablets may not be nice to take but they certainly work. They provide you with instant relief for your sore throat although you may not enjoy how you come about this relief. Add to this the fact that they are great value for money and perfect for travel, I couldn't rate them any higher... unless they find a way to disguise the disgusting flavour of course.