More Than Just A Fever Fix: The Problem With Treating Dolo Like 'Gems'

In a country where medicines are often consumed like everyday snacks, one tweet was all it took to stir up a conversation about India's over-the-counter addiction. US-based gastroenterologist Dr Palaniappan Manickam, popularly known as Dr. Pal, tweeted: "Indians take Dolo-650 like it's Cadbury Gems." A joke? Yes. An uncomfortable truth? Absolutely.

Dolo-650: The Pandemic's Poster Pill

When COVID-19 swept through India, Dolo-650 rose to unmatched popularity. It became the go-to pill for symptoms like fever, body pain, and fatigue. With its 650 mg dosage visibly marked on the pack, it created a perception of being stronger and more effective than its 500 mg counterparts. Soon, the little white tablet was everywhere, recommended by friends, WhatsApp forwards, and family elders alike.

The numbers say it all. Over 350 crore Dolo tablets were sold during the pandemic years. What was once just a paracetamol became a symbol of comfort, convenience, and control in a time of uncertainty.

The tweet quickly caught fire on X, with netizens jumping in with memes, jokes, and personal experiences. Some laughed about taking the pill without ever consulting a doctor. Others reminisced about how Dolo-650 became the default cure for any pandemic symptom, mild or severe.

 It is absolutely safe when you take it as your doctor prescribes it, do not self-medicate or take the pharmacist’s word for it, “Just like any other drug that comes with its own caveat, paracetamol too comes with advisories. Except that we ignore them and have the pill unsupervised, almost like taking a vitamin and mineral supplement. We do not even feel the need to ask a doctor about dosage since it is available easily over the counter. Fact is overuse can be toxic for key organs like the liver and kidneys and can lead to serious health complications,” Dr Rakesh Gupta, senior consultant, internal medicine, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi told to The Indian Express. 

Dolo 650 Is Not Cadbury Gems, Stop Popping It Like Candy

Dr. Pal's tweet was humorous, but it also pointed to something dangerous. Dolo is not candy, it's medicine. But the way it's treated, especially post-pandemic, tells another story. People have started taking Dolo without a prescription for anything and everything. Headache? Dolo. Slight fever? Dolo. Tired from work? Dolo.

This casual consumption reflects a deep-rooted habit of self-medication in India. The fact that someone can joke about it being like Cadbury Gems and be met with universal agreement speaks volumes.

The issue here isn't just about Dolo or paracetamol. It's about how lightly we treat medicine in general. The idea that one can self-medicate without any medical supervision is a dangerous one. As funny as Dr. Pal's tweet was, it shone a spotlight on a public health issue that's often ignored.

The Internet Weighed In

Google Trends during the pandemic showed searches like "how many Dolo 650 can I take in a day" or "is Dolo safe without fever," pointing to how unsure, but willing, people were to experiment on themselves.

Over-the-counter doesn't mean risk-free. And widespread access doesn't mean one-size-fits-all. What works for one person might not suit another. Misuse can lead to liver damage, drug resistance, or worse.

Dolo-650 is not Cadbury Gems. It's not a snack, not a daily fix, and certainly not a substitute for medical advice. The tweet might fade, the trend might pass, but the message should stick, popping pills without thought isn't quirky, it's risky.