Acting chief medical officer, Dr Marion Bullock DuCasse, says there are several brands of paracetamol available to treat symptoms of chikungunya. She said while the public health sector has an adequate supply of paracetamol, persons have reported difficulty in accessing some brands of the drug in private pharmacies.

"I want to assure Jamaicans that we have an adequate supply of paracetamol tablets and syrup in the health sector and we are in a position to get additional stock quickly if the need arises. If persons choose to purchase the drug in private pharmacies, there are several brands that are available locally and can be used to treat pain and fever associated with the chikungunya virus," Dr DuCasse said.

Dr DuCasse says persons can be guided by their pharmacists in their choice of brand as all the products work in the same way and are approved by the Ministry for treatment of the chikungunya virus.

Some of the brands registered by the Ministry and are currently available include Panadol, Panalix, Paradenk, Paradmol, Apap, Cetamol, Tylenol, Painol, Painex, Fitzroy Paracetamol, Las-paracetamol and Mk-acetaminophen.

The Ministry advises that these tablets are not to be taken to prevent chik-V. Instead, they are only to be taken when the symptoms of pain and fever occur.

No more than eight tablets of 500mg per day or four tablets of 1000mg per day of paracetamol/acetaminophen should be taken. No more than one or two tablets should be taken at any one time at four-hour intervals.

Parents are asked to make sure that children receive the proper doses as guided by the product label or by the doctor or pharmacist in keeping with the age or weight of the child.

It is important that no more than the recommended doses be taken to avoid unwanted adverse effects.

Individuals are advised to check the strength of the tablet or check with their pharmacist for guidance before taking the tablet.