Help needed ASAP! I might have taken too much paracetamol
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Help needed ASAP! I might have taken too much paracetamolEvery morning I have a hayfever tablet and sometimes paracetamol, depending on whether I have a bad headache. This morning I can't remember whether I had the paracetamol with my hayfever tablet(!), which is a really careless thing for me to do, but I was distracted...
Then at about 10ish I had two paracetamol tablets. So if I did take them with my hayfever tablet at around 9.15-30, then that would have been four. Is that potentially dangerous? -
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Re: Help needed ASAP! I might have taken too much paracetamol4 tablets in an hour is not recommended but generally not dangerous (though it may still cause liver damage). However, as paracetamol overdose has a delayed effect, if you experience nausea, vomiting, sweating etc in the next few hours, contact a doctor / go to a hospital immediately.(Original post by Iron Lady)
Every morning I have a hayfever tablet and sometimes paracetamol, depending on whether I have a bad headache. This morning I can't remember whether I had the paracetamol with my hayfever tablet(!), which is a really careless thing for me to do, but I was distracted...
Then at about 10ish I had two paracetamol tablets. So if I did take them with my hayfever tablet at around 9.15-30, then that would have been four. Is that potentially dangerous?
I noticed that this was posted over 4 hours ago. If nothing has happened since then, you should be okay, but take more care next time.
Last edited by Vulpes; 06-07-2012 at 15:13. -
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Re: Help needed ASAP! I might have taken too much paracetamolI gave it a quick google and stuff like this came up.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...racetamol.html
You should be ok, however as said phone up NHS direct to get professional advice. -
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Re: Help needed ASAP! I might have taken too much paracetamolI thought liver damage through paracetamol was more likely if you took a lot of paracetamol over a long period of time? Obviously taking loads at once is terrible but four by accident if you take no more that day shouldn't be such an emergency surely? I'd like someone to correct me if I'm wrong just so that I know!(Original post by CallieCat)
Yes, that could be dangerous. Call NHS direct. Now. You don't need to overdose very much on paracetamol at all for it to cause serious liver damage.
I wouldn't see that as being serious, don't take any more today and try not to take paracetamol every day.
I was given 3 paracetamol in hospital once...
OP Call NHS direct if you're that worried though or if you feel you may have taken too much over a longer period of time too. -
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Re: Help needed ASAP! I might have taken too much paracetamolIt doesn't have to be a huge period of time, but the risk is still there, getting checked out won't hurt.(Original post by aliluvschoc)
I thought liver damage through paracetamol was more likely if you took a lot of paracetamol over a long period of time? Obviously taking loads at once is terrible but four by accident if you take no more that day shouldn't be such an emergency surely? I'd like someone to correct me if I'm wrong just so that I know!
I wouldn't see that as being serious, don't take any more today and try not to take paracetamol every day.
I was given 3 paracetamol in hospital once...
OP Call NHS direct if you're that worried though or if you feel you may have taken too much over a longer period of time too. -
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Re: Help needed ASAP! I might have taken too much paracetamolIt's delayed liver damage that it can cause, so OP might not have any side-effects for a few days...(Original post by Vulpes)
4 tablets in an hour is not recommended but generally not dangerous (though it may still cause liver damage). However, as paracetamol overdose has a delayed effect, if you experience nausea, vomiting, sweating etc in the next few hours, contact a doctor / go to a hospital immediately.
I noticed that this was posted over 4 hours ago. If nothing has happened since then, you should be okay, but take more care next time.
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Re: Help needed ASAP! I might have taken too much paracetamolYou'll be fine. You're not going to OD on 2g, just don't take anymore today/for 24hours and drink more fluid.
Also, don't call nhs direct, they're ****ing useless and will just tell you to go to A&E.Last edited by RollerBall; 06-07-2012 at 15:43. -
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Re: Help needed ASAP! I might have taken too much paracetamolDo enlighten me on where you are getting this information.(Original post by CallieCat)
It's delayed liver damage that it can cause, so OP might not have any side-effects for a few days...
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Re: Help needed ASAP! I might have taken too much paracetamolVery true, NHS direct I've found are generally hapless(Original post by RollerBall)
You'll be fine. You're not going to OD on 2g, just don't take anymore today/for 24hours and drink more fluid.
Also, don't call nhs direct, they're ****ing useless and will just tell you to go to A&E. -
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Re: Help needed ASAP! I might have taken too much paracetamolThank you for your replies. I am OK now - earlier on I felt a bit drowsey, then quite achey, but that could have been unrelated. Family members said to just drink water and not to call the NHS as it's not fatal. I just know better for the future and to come up with a chart to record when I take painkillers.
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Re: Help needed ASAP! I might have taken too much paracetamolI wouldn't worry. Toxicity is more likely in elderly people, which is why now in hospitals they use weight when dosing. If you're healthy etc, no underlying chronic conditions...the maximum dosage for a healthy adult is 4 grams, so 4 1grams or 8 500mg, every 4-6 hours, so even if you took 4 x 1000mg you'd still be within the safe doses for a 24 hour period. It was a bit close together but I still, I doubt you'd get any problems. Toxicity is usually delayed anyway so just don't have anymore, and keep an eye on how you feel.
