New Delhi — A humorous tweet by US-based gastroenterologist and stand-up comedian Dr Palaniappan Manickam, popularly known as Dr Pal, has sparked a nationwide conversation on India’s casual use of the over-the-counter painkiller Dolo 650.
“Indians take Dolo 650 like it’s Cadbury Gems,” Dr Pal posted on X (formerly Twitter), drawing laughs from thousands of netizens while highlighting a deeper issue: the rampant, unsupervised use of paracetamol across the country.
The post quickly went viral, generating memes, jokes, and a flood of personal confessions. “Dolo is the true Indian comfort drug. Bad day? Dolo. Fever? Dolo. Breakup? Dolo,” one user quipped. Others admitted to keeping the tablet stocked at home at all times.
Originally from Madurai and now based in Sacramento, California, Dr Pal has built a loyal following by mixing medicine with humor—what he calls “med-com.” With over a million followers, his influence grew during the COVID-19 pandemic when his witty public health content began gaining traction.
Though lighthearted on the surface, Dr Pal’s tweet underscores a growing concern among health experts: the overuse and misuse of paracetamol. In a follow-up post, he reminded followers that Dolo 650 is “not a candy,” warning that frequent, unsupervised use can mask symptoms and delay proper diagnosis.
Dolo 650, a 650 mg dose of paracetamol, became a household name during the pandemic as a go-to remedy for fever, body aches, and post-vaccination discomfort. Its widespread availability, however, has led to frequent overuse.
“People take paracetamol like a vitamin pill,” said Dr Rakesh Gupta, Senior Consultant at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital. “But even paracetamol, when taken excessively, can damage vital organs such as the liver and kidneys.”
The drug’s safety profile is well-established when used properly. However, exceeding the recommended 4 grams per day or combining it with alcohol or other paracetamol-containing medicines increases the risk of toxicity, liver failure, and in rare cases, internal bleeding. UK data showed 261 deaths linked to paracetamol overdose in 2022 alone.
Doctors advise limiting self-medication with paracetamol to no more than two days. Persistent symptoms should prompt a medical consultation, not another dose.
“Temporary relief could be suppressing a condition instead of treating it,” Dr Gupta warned.
As Dr Pal continues to blend comedy with caution, his viral moment serves as a timely reminder: laughter may be the best medicine—but only when used with a healthy dose of common sense.
