Travicol

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Travicol

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Medically reviewed

Rosario Oropesa

Last updated on 22/12/2025

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Travicol

Travicol: Definition, Active Ingredient, and Classification

Quick Facts

Property Description
Active Ingredient Paracetamol (Acetaminophen)
Pharmacological Class Non-opioid analgesic, Antipyretic
Common Use Relief of pain and fever
Origin Synthetic compound
Common Forms Tablet, Capsule, Oral Suspension

Travicol is a trade name for a medicine classified primarily as a non-opioid analgesic and an antipyretic, with its therapeutic properties derived from the synthetic compound Paracetamol. This medicine is widely used for the symptomatic relief of mild to moderate pain and to manage elevated body temperature or fever. Paracetamol is listed on the World Health Organization (WHO) Model List of Essential Medicines, underscoring its importance in basic health systems.

The sole pharmacologically active ingredient in Travicol is Paracetamol, which is internationally recognized by the chemical synonym Acetaminophen or N-acetyl-p-aminophenol. This substance defines the medicine as a Para-aminophenol derivative, which is typically a single-ingredient product available as an Over-the-Counter (OTC) medicine. It is clinically recognized for its rapid effect profile when treating acute fever and discomfort.


Active Forms and General Therapeutic Purpose

Travicol is available in several high-level dosage forms to accommodate various patient groups, including standard tablets and capsules for adults, as well as a liquid oral suspension (syrup) specifically positioned for pediatric patients. These varying pharmaceutical preparations support different routes of administration, including oral and rectal (via suppository), ensuring flexibility in delivery.

The fundamental general therapeutic purpose of Travicol is based on its two core actions: easing pain sensation and actively lowering fever (pyrexia). It is used for its efficacy in both adults and children for antipyresis and is a standard agent for lowering body temperature. The Paracetamol component influences the body’s thermal control center in the hypothalamus to reduce temperature and modulates pain signal transmission. This makes Travicol an essential tool for the general population in the initial management of general discomforts, offering targeted relief without significant peripheral anti-inflammatory effects.

Regulatory References

  1. World Health Organization (WHO)
  2. WHO Essential Medicines List

What side effects are possible with Travicol?

Possible Side Effects and Safety Information

Official regulatory documents classify the potential risks of medicines to provide a structured overview of safety. This information is typically organized into adverse reaction categories, serious risks, and specific safety limitations.

Adverse Reaction Scope

Classification Common Findings (Representative)
Frequency Classification Adverse events are officially grouped into categories such as common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people) or rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people).
System-Organ Classes Adverse reactions are classified by the affected body system, such as Blood and lymphatic system disorders or Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders.
Serious Adverse Reactions Regulatory documents highlight reactions of particular clinical significance, which may include severe hypersensitivity reactions or potential organ damage.
Safety-Related Restrictions Conditions where use is forbidden or requires extreme caution, such as known severe allergy to the components or severe underlying organ impairment.

Safety Classifications (High-Level)

Official safety profiles define clear limitations on use (Contraindications) and identify certain populations—such as patients with pre-existing conditions or those taking specific medications—that require particular safety precautions (Special Warnings). This structure ensures that potential safety issues are formally identified and communicated to healthcare providers.

Resulting Safety Structure

The full regulatory safety profile dictates how the medicine's risks are understood, detailing both the most frequent and the most severe potential effects. It is a mandated regulatory requirement that all known risks, including serious organ toxicity and allergic responses, are formally documented and classified for patient safety.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose Map: Overdose and when to seek help — official regulatory information for Travicol

The product name "Travicol" refers to several formulations, many of which contain the active ingredient Paracetamol (Acetaminophen), or a combination including Paracetamol. The regulatory guidance for overdose focuses primarily on the established, acute, and delayed toxicity risks associated with Paracetamol.

Overdose scope

Domain Official Regulatory Statement (Paracetamol Basis)
Documented Overdose Presentations Initial symptoms may be non-specific, including pallor, nausea, vomiting, sweating, and loss of appetite. These early signs do not correlate with the severity of potential organ damage.
Physiological Systems Affected The primary system affected is the liver, leading to hepatotoxicity (liver damage) and potentially Acute Liver Failure (ALF). Renal failure (kidney damage) may also occur.
Dose-related or Exposure-related Factors A single acute ingestion above a specified threshold (e.g., 150 mg/kg in adults/children or 7.5 - 10 g) is considered potentially toxic. Repeated excessive dosing over days also poses a risk.
Population-specific Overdose Notes Individuals with chronic alcohol use, liver disease, malnutrition, or glutathione deficiency are at increased risk of severe toxicity even with lower overdose amounts.
Emergency-response Statements Administration of the specific antidote, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), is required. The antidote is most effective if given within 8 hours of acute ingestion.
When Immediate Medical Help is Required Urgent medical attention must be sought immediately following a suspected overdose, even if the individual feels well or if symptoms are mild, due to the high risk of delayed, severe liver damage.

Overdose classifications (high-level)

Classification Regulatory Basis (Paracetamol)
Severity Classification Classified as a dose-dependent poison with the potential for delayed, life-threatening outcomes, specifically hepatic necrosis leading to death.
Regulatory Basis Based on standardized international governmental monographs and prescribing information (e.g., FDA, EMA, Health Canada).
Overdose-context Constraints Immediate contact with a poison control center or hospital is mandated to assess the need for time-critical antidote treatment.

Resulting overdose structure

  • Immediate medical attention is mandatory for any suspected acute overdose, regardless of initial symptoms.
  • The most serious complication is delayed liver failure, which may not present until 12 to 48 hours after ingestion.
  • Specific antidote treatment (N-acetylcysteine) is time-dependent and should be initiated promptly to maximize effectiveness and minimize the risk of severe hepatic injury.

Connection to the overall overdose profile

Regulatory documents define the overdose profile by highlighting the discrepancy between mild initial symptoms and the potential for life-threatening liver damage. This structure ensures that emergency medical help is sought immediately based on the amount ingested and time elapsed, rather than the temporary absence of severe symptoms, thereby linking the acute exposure to a time-critical procedural response involving the antidote.

Therapeutic Uses of Travicol

Travicol (Paracetamol/Acetaminophen) is commonly used as a foundational agent for the symptomatic management of symptoms related to physical discomfort and systemic imbalance across two primary domains: pain and fever. It is categorized as an analgesic and antipyretic, applied in contexts where short-term symptomatic assistance is needed to help ease the overall burden of symptoms.

This medicine is generally used to help address symptom clusters that involve mild to moderate acute pain sensations, including disruptive manifestations such as headache, toothache, musculoskeletal pain, and dysmenorrhea (period pain). Travicol is also relevant in situations marked by heightened patient distress associated with fever or pyrexia during acute illnesses like the cold or flu.

“Travicol provides support that helps ease the overall symptom burden, contributing to improved comfort during periods of heightened symptoms.”

This supportive therapy helps patients cope more steadily with these difficult episodes. By aiding in the reduction of fever and accompanying body aches, the medicine can assist with maintaining a sense of stability when symptoms are more noticeable during phases of acute illness.

Quick Fact: Relief for Acute Discomfort
Therapeutic Focus Symptom management (Analgesia) and Temperature control (Antipyresis).
Target Severity Mild to moderate pain and elevated body temperature.
Supportive Role Helps improve day-to-day comfort and supports the overall symptom load.

Regulatory References

  1. NIH MedlinePlus Drug Information

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

This information reflects the official eligibility profile for tramadol-containing medicines, which are governed by strict regulatory rules worldwide.

Populations Who Must Not Use This Medicine (Contraindications)

  • Children under 12 years of age.
  • Children under 18 years of age for pain relief after surgery to remove the tonsils and/or adenoids.
  • Patients with acute intoxication from alcohol, sleeping pills, or other centrally acting depressants.
  • Patients with significant respiratory depression or severe, acute asthma.
  • Patients taking Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) or who have taken them within the last 14 days.
  • Patients with uncontrolled epilepsy or known hypersensitivity to the product components.

Restricted or Conditional Use

  • Adolescents 12 to 18 years with conditions that increase the risk of serious breathing problems, such as morbid obesity or severe lung disease, should avoid use.
  • Severe Hepatic (Liver) or Renal (Kidney) impairment: The medicine is not recommended; for moderate impairment, the dosage interval must be extended.
  • Elderly patients (over 75 years): Use with caution, and a prolonged dosing interval is generally required due to reduced elimination.
  • Pregnancy and Lactation: Prolonged use during pregnancy can cause Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome. Breastfeeding is not recommended due to the risk of serious side effects in the infant.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Interactions with other medicines and products

The official regulatory profile for Travicol (Paracetamol) identifies specific interaction patterns that necessitate administration constraints and restrictions.

Combination Restrictions and Timing Rules

  • Other Paracetamol Products: Co-administration with any other medicinal product containing Paracetamol is strictly prohibited. This restriction is mandated across regulatory labels to prevent exceeding the maximum daily dose and to mitigate the severe documented risk of dose-dependent liver damage.
  • Cholestyramine: This bile acid sequestrant significantly reduces the absorption of Travicol. Regulatory documents mandate that Cholestyramine must be administered at least one hour apart from Travicol.

Pharmacodynamic and Clearance Interactions

  • Oral Anticoagulants: Chronic use of Travicol, especially at higher doses, is officially documented to potentiate the effect of Warfarin and other Oral Anticoagulants by modifying the International Normalized Ratio (INR), which increases the documented risk of bleeding.
  • Clearance Modifiers: Pharmacokinetic interactions are officially noted with substances that affect clearance. Enzyme inducers such as Rifampicin and Phenobarbital are noted to reduce Travicol exposure. Conversely, Probenecid is documented to reduce Travicol's clearance.

Population and Substance Notes

The risk of interaction-related hepatotoxicity is formally stated to be significantly heightened in individuals with chronic heavy alcohol consumption or pre-existing hepatic impairment.

Mechanism of Action

Central Prostaglandin Synthesis Inhibition

This domain involves the action of Paracetamol, primarily within the Central Nervous System (CNS). It engages mechanisms that modulate key pathways associated with the production of pyretic and nociceptive mediators, such as prostaglandins (PGs). Paracetamol inhibits prostaglandin synthesis, potentially by modulating a specific Cyclooxygenase (COX) enzyme variant. This results in the suppression of signaling sequences that escalate thermoregulation and nociceptive responses, contributing to the attenuation of heightened thermoregulatory and nociceptive signaling.


mu-Opioid Receptor Agonism and Monoaminergic Modulation

This domain is primarily driven by Tramadol and its active metabolite, O-desmethyl-tramadol ( M1). These compounds act within domains involving receptor-mediated signaling by binding to and activating mu-opioid receptors in the CNS. Furthermore, Tramadol weakly inhibits the neuronal reuptake of Norepinephrine and Serotonin within the descending inhibitory pathways. This dual activity modifies early molecular steps that enhance inhibitory signaling, resulting in an altered central processing of nociceptive input and an influence on the net activity of nociceptive neurotransmission.

Dosage and Administration Information

How to Use Travicol: Official Dosing and Administration

Travicol (Paracetamol/Acetaminophen) must be used strictly according to instructions to ensure the correct dose is administered. This medicine is approved for several routes of administration, including Oral (tablets, capsules, suspensions) and Rectal (suppositories). An Intravenous (IV) form is also available for use in hospital settings.


Official Dosing and Frequency Guidelines

Feature Standard Adult Instruction (50 kg+)
Standard Single Dose 500 mg to 1000 mg
Dosing Interval Repeat dose every 4 to 6 hours as required.
Minimum Interval At least 4 hours must elapse between doses.
Maximum Daily Dose Do not exceed 4000 mg (4 g) total in 24 hours.

Administration and Duration Constraints

Contextual Instructions

  • Travicol may be taken with or without food. Administration without food may accelerate the analgesic effect.
  • For liquid forms, always use a calibrated measuring device provided with the product to ensure dose accuracy.
  • Combination Restriction: Do not use Travicol with any other medicine that contains Paracetamol/Acetaminophen.

Duration of Use

For self-treatment, it is recommended that the medicine should not be used for more than 3 days for fever or 5 days for pain without consulting a physician. The treatment should be stopped when symptoms resolve.

Population Adjustments

  • Renal Impairment: Patients with severe kidney issues require a longer interval between doses (e.g., 6 to 8 hours) to prevent drug accumulation.
  • Low Body Weight: The maximum daily dose for individuals weighing less than 50 kg is typically lower and must be adjusted.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Travicol: Recent Clinical Evidence


Evidence for use in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Research available for Travicol in adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus includes randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews of this evidence. These studies provided data on clinical measurements by monitoring average blood sugar levels, specifically glycated hemoglobin (A1C) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG). The studies also included measurements such as body weight and the frequency of low blood sugar episodes (hypoglycemia).

Findings describe patterns observed in the studies regarding measured shifts in A1C and FPG values across trial participants. Research highlights changes measured during the study period in body weight. However, long-term effects are not fully established regarding the durability of these observed patterns beyond the immediate trial duration, and data for certain groups, such as those with very advanced kidney or liver disease, remain insufficient.


Evidence for use in Cardiovascular Risk Reduction

Research has explored Travicol's use in individuals with Type 2 Diabetes who are at a high cardiovascular risk. These large-scale cardiovascular outcomes trials (CVOTs) tracked serious health events, including the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and hospital stays due to heart failure. The trials reported the observed frequency and incidence rates of these events in the high-risk populations studied over extended periods, typically several years.

Despite the long duration of these dedicated CVOTs, results apply only to the populations studied, which were typically older adults with existing cardiovascular disease. As a result, comparative evidence is lacking for some lower-risk patient groups. Certainty remains low regarding the exact findings for specific, less common subgroups.


What is Still Uncertain About Travicol

Evidence highlights what is known—and what is still uncertain. Comparative evidence is lacking for many head-to-head comparisons against every possible alternative. The main gaps include the lack of robust, long-term data (i.e., beyond two years) covering all indications, particularly for the long-term assessment of body weight. Findings describe group patterns, not personal outcomes, meaning research does not determine whether an individual will respond similarly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Travicol (FAQ)

Q: What happens if I miss a dose of Travicol?

A: According to patient information leaflets from regulatory agencies, if a dose is missed, taking it as soon as it is remembered is the general guidance. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, the official guidance is to skip the missed dose entirely and return to the regular schedule. A double or extra dose must not be taken to make up for a forgotten dose.

Q: Can I use Travicol while I am breastfeeding?

A: Official sources and reviewed studies typically state that the active ingredient, acetaminophen, is generally considered compatible with breastfeeding. The quantity of the medicine that passes into breast milk is minimal, and official sources report that adverse effects in breastfed infants are reported to be rare.

Q: How long does it takes for Travicol to start working?

A: Official pharmacokinetic data indicates that orally administered forms of acetaminophen typically begin to provide relief within 30 minutes to one hour after ingestion. The maximum pain or fever-relieving effect is usually reached around one to two hours following administration.

Q: I’m taking Warfarin, can I use Travicol?

A: Regulatory documents state that chronic use of acetaminophen, particularly when taken at higher doses, is documented to increase the effect of oral anticoagulants, such as Warfarin. This interaction can raise the risk of bleeding. For individuals using Warfarin, official product information indicates that consultation with a healthcare professional is necessary to manage this potential interaction.

How should Travicol be stored and disposed of?

Storage Requirements

Official regulatory documents require Travicol (Paracetamol/Acetaminophen) to be stored at Controlled Room Temperature, typically 20 C to 25 C (68 F to 77 F). The medicine must be kept in its original container and protected from both light and moisture; the container must be kept tightly closed. It is explicitly required to keep Travicol out of the sight and reach of children and pets, and the product must not be frozen.

Disposal Instructions

Expired or unused Travicol should be disposed of by returning it to an official drug take-back program. If no take-back program is available, the product should be mixed with an unappealing substance (such as used coffee grounds) and sealed in a container before being placed in the household trash. It must not be flushed down the toilet or poured down a sink.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

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