“Think Twice Before Popping Dolo-650 Like Candy — U.S. Doctor Reveals the Hidden Risks”

Indian consumers often rely on Dolo-650 as their primary treatment choice against variety of health issues including both minor symptoms such as headaches and fatigue and mild temperatures.

Indian households share the behavioural pattern of The White Lotus’s Tanya McQuoid when it comes to Lorazepams through their private attachment to Dolo-650. Everyone hides their addictive substance within first aid boxes as a hidden addiction.  Dolo-650 serves as the preferred treatment throughout India because people use it to handle various medical conditions including headaches and fatigue and low-grade fevers. Experts in medicine warn that frequent use of this readily available pharmaceutical substance could actually harm patients more than most people realize.

The Tweet That Sparked a Storm

On April 14, US-based gastroenterologist Dr Palaniappan Manickam, popularly known as Dr Pal, tweeted something that went viral, “Indians take Dolo 650 like it’s Cadbury Gems.”

The tweet tapped into a collective truth. Hundreds replied with confessions — “I take it for stress,” “I pop one for body ache even after a workout,” or simply, “just in case.” What was once reserved for high fevers is now India’s knee-jerk response to any form of discomfort.

The Rise of India’s ‘Favourite Pill’ – Dolo 650

Dolo-650, manufactured by Micro Labs Ltd, packs 650 mg of paracetamol — a step up from the typical 500 mg dose. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it shot to fame as the default prescription for fever, body pain, and vaccine-related discomfort.

As the second wave hit, so did Dolo’s sales, skyrocketing into every household. Social media crowned it the ‘national snack’. 

One meme asked, “Don’t have Dolo-650 at home? Are you even Indian?”

Too Much of a ‘Good’ Thing Isn’t Always Good

Paracetamol is generally safe — when taken in the right dose, and for the right reason. The problem? Frequent, casual, and unsupervised consumption.

Dr Pal warns, “You wouldn’t pop antibiotics without a doctor’s advice. So why is paracetamol treated differently?”

Dolo-650 overdose combined with paracetamol-containing medications presents a risk of liver damage. Long-term high-dose consumption of Dolo-650 specifically damages liver health. Medical studies show paracetamol overdose liver failure stands as one of the primary drug-induced liver injury factors across the world.

A Painkiller Masking Bigger Problems

What many don’t realise is that painkillers like Dolo don’t treat illness — they treat symptoms. That temporary relief could be hiding a more serious underlying condition.

• A persistent low-grade fever could be an infection
• Headaches may signal neurological or vision issues
• Body pain might stem from nutrient deficiencies or viral infections

Suppressing these signs with Dolo might delay diagnosis, leading to worse outcomes.

The ₹1,000 Crore Controversy

In 2022, a Public Interest Litigation filed in the Supreme Court accused the makers of Dolo-650 of spending ₹1,000 crore on freebies to doctors to promote the pill — a serious ethical and legal concern. Even Former Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud weighed in, recalling he too was advised to take it during COVID.

The case cast a spotlight on how trust, branding, and aggressive promotion have shaped India’s medicine choices.

Following these guidelines would be more beneficial than taking Dolo-650.

• The only acceptable self-medication occurs when you receive medical guidance from a physician.
• Adults should consume 3-4g of paracetamol per day from 500mg or 650mg strength pills by taking about 4–6 tablets.
• Examine cold-and-flu medicines because their components with paracetamol often accumulate in the pharmaceutical mixture
• Symptoms should determine your healthcare decisions because continuous fever or pain requires a medical evaluation.
• Irresponsible medication habits are the real problems whereas Dolo-650 remains innocent in this matter. One tweet from Dr Pal initiated an essential dialogue on the topic that merited attention. You should slow down the next time you use Dolo as if it is your go-to candy to consider what purpose it serves.