Doctors have warned the TGA that a blanket ban on teenagers buying paracetamol would be an overreaction, potentially undermining appropriate use of the common analgesic.

The TGA will meet this month to decide whether to push for new limits on paracetamol sales, including making modified-release paracetamol an S4 drug, cutting down pack sizes and banning under-18s from buying immediate-release paracetamol in supermarkets and pharmacies. 

It is a response to an expert review suggesting that thousands of 10-19-year-olds are using paracetamol to self-harm each year.

While both the RACGP and AMA support the upscheduling of modified-release paracetamol, they say a blanket ban on sales to children and adolescents would undermine treatment of headaches, period pain and influenza symptoms.