Paracetamol vs Fentanyl
National NHS prescribing compared (Prescription Cost Analysis)
Paracetamol was dispensed 26.5× as often as Fentanyl in May 2026 — 1,265,243 items versus 47,704 in England.
1,265,243items
Paracetamol · May 2026
NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis
47,704items
Fentanyl · May 2026
NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis
Figure 1. Paracetamol versus Fentanyl: national items dispensed by month
▬ Paracetamol · ╌ Fentanyl
Source: NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis, to May 2026
| Measure | Paracetamol | Fentanyl |
|---|---|---|
| Items, May 2026 | 1,265,243 | 47,704 |
| Items, last 12 months | 15,709,047 | 609,337 |
| Net ingredient cost, May 2026 | £5,475,885 | £1,557,824 |
See the full profile for Paracetamol or Fentanyl.