Paracetamol vs Fentanyl
National NHS prescribing compared (Prescription Cost Analysis)
Paracetamol was dispensed 26.6× as often as Fentanyl in March 2026 — 1,327,611 items versus 49,945 in England.
1,327,611items
Paracetamol · March 2026
NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis
49,945items
Fentanyl · March 2026
NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis
Figure 1. Paracetamol versus Fentanyl: national items dispensed by month
▬ Paracetamol · ╌ Fentanyl
Source: NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis, to March 2026
| Measure | Paracetamol | Fentanyl |
|---|---|---|
| Items, March 2026 | 1,327,611 | 49,945 |
| Items, last 12 months | 15,763,745 | 618,732 |
| Net ingredient cost, March 2026 | £5,728,363 | £1,619,682 |
See the full profile for Paracetamol or Fentanyl.