Where to buy paracetamol and other health essentials during lockdown

(Image credit: Christine Sandu on Unsplash)

published 26 March 2020

If you're in lockdown and wondering how to get hold of paracetamol and other essential health supplies, we've got you. In this article, we've pulled together some information about where you can buy things like paracetamol (that's acetaminophen to US readers) and flu treatments that could help ease the symptoms of coronavirus.

While you're reading through our suggestions it's important to note that there's currently no medicine that can specifically treat coronavirus (although coronavirus home test kits are coming to the UK soon, we're told). These medicines could help you feel better though, and it might be a good idea to stock up while you're still feeling healthy.

Coronavirus symptoms are typically similar to those you'd get with flu and other winter bugs like the common cold: a persistent cough, fever, and body aches. Some people will also experience breathing troubles.

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Currently, paracetamol (rather than ibuprofen) is the painkiller the NHS recommends if you're suffering from coronavirus. The NHS tweeted: "There is currently no strong evidence that ibuprofen can make #coronavirus worse. But until we have more info, take paracetamol to treat the symptoms of coronavirus, unless your doctor has told you paracetamol is not suitable for you."

In this article, you'll find links to basic paracetamol, tissues and other useful flu treatments that can help, whether you find yourself coming down with the symptoms of coronavirus or just a common cold. We have separate articles dedicated to where you can still get hold of hand sanitizer, toilet paper and thermometers.

Please be considerate of others when making a purchase and avoid stockpiling. Read on for quick links to retailers where you can buy paracetamol, tissues and more.

Important: Please make sure you read the enclosed leaflets provided with each medicine thoroughly. Use any medical products responsibly and make sure you’re aware of the recommended daily dosages: many of these products contain the same active ingredients, so make sure you don't accidentally double up.

Top places to buy paracetamol, cough and flu treatment

These are the places it's worth checking first, and information about what they're offering in terms of delivery right now.

Chemist.co.uk – Cold, fever and flu treatments
Tesco.com – Range of basic painkillers including paracetamol, available for delivery
Pharmacy First UK – Still delivering, 10-14 day delivery period
The Independent Pharmacy UK – Many items currently out of stock
Amazon.com – Wide selection of strepsils, vitamins, and chest rubs
Walmart.com – Cold and flu relief from $1.98
Staples.com – Cleaning wipes, soaps and detergents
Walgreens.com – Extra 15% off with code HEALTH15

Here are the places we'd usually recommend. At time of writing, there were issues with supply or delivery, but it might be worth double-checking.

Superdrug UK – Most items 'click and collect' only; enter your location to see availability
Boots UK – Long virtual queue to access the site
Lloyds Pharmacy UK – Orders temporarily paused
Waitrose.com – Delivery and 'click and collect' currently unavailable

Paracetamol and flu treatment in the UK

Jump straight to flu treatment in the US

Acetaminophen and flu treatment in the US

General advice for flu treatment

If you're in the UK and thinking about buying medicine online, please take note that this should only be done through regulated vendors that meet the standards of the General Pharmaceutical Council. Fully licensed vendors will have a green distance selling logo on their website – which you can click to make sure that the vendor is operating legally. All of the merchants included in this article meet these criteria and are fully licensed.

Please also make sure you're reading any attached leaflet or medical information that is included with any medication you may buy online. It's important to note that many of these medicines contain the same active ingredients (paracetamol) and therefore should not be taken in conjunction with one another.

Found yourself coming down with the flu or flu-like symptoms? The UK national health service has laid out the steps that it believes are most effective when dealing with flu-like symptoms:

Get plenty of rest and sleep
Stay warm inside
Take medication responsibly to deal with any aches or pains
Avoid dehydration by drinking plenty of water

Note: It's extremely important to make sure you're also taking the necessary steps to self-isolate in the case of coronavirus. More information on self-isolating can be found here.

NHS UK - Information on the flu
NHS UK - Information on coronavirus
NHS UK - Buying medication online safely
NHS UK - Information on self-isolating