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Original poster

How long should you take paracetamol for?

15 replies

Starlight90 · 27/12/2018 19:55

I’ve been taking 1000mg every 4 hours for laryngitis and a cold. Im shivery, lethargic, breathless and my chest is heavy. Been taking them since Monday morning.

Tried to stop today but come lunch time i was shivery again. Taken another 1000mg now as one 500mg does nothing.

How long is safe?

OP posts:
thesnapandfartisinfallible · 27/12/2018 19:56

I think it's 7 days. It'll say on the leaflet in the box

Original poster
Starlight90 · 27/12/2018 20:02

Thank you. I tend to avoid looking at them! Ill have a read x

OP posts:
OComeAllYeFaithful · 27/12/2018 20:07

Many people are on long term paracetamol. However if you are still struggling with your symptoms after a week, you shild see your GP.

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Silvercatowner · 27/12/2018 20:29

I've been taking it 4x daily for 25 years now.

Fairylea · 27/12/2018 20:31

Many people take it daily long term. The reason why it says 7 days on the box is really because if something is going on longer than that or paracetamol isn’t helping it warrants some medical investigation.

thesnapandfartisinfallible · 27/12/2018 21:40

Haha just don't read the side effects!

PleaseJustSayNo · 27/12/2018 21:48

Have you tried ibuprofen too?

Original poster
Starlight90 · 27/12/2018 21:50

Yes. Ibuprofen inbetween.

OP posts:
OurChristmasMiracle · 27/12/2018 21:51

Have you been taking 1000mg every 4 hours (so 12 tablets in 24 hours?)

Or just the 8 tablets?

I’d say give it 5/7 days and if you aren’t getting better see your doctor.

PleaseJustSayNo · 27/12/2018 21:54

Urgh that sucks. Thought you might have been able to space them out a bit more with ibuprofen

Nacreous · 27/12/2018 21:54

Paracetamol is fine to take long term, but you need to make sure you limit to 4000mg in 24 hours (so every 6 hours not every 4).

The liver damage dose isn't that much higher than the maximum dose for paracetamol, so do avoid overdosing. (But as long as you don't overdose the long term liver risks are negligible.)

Ibuprofen is theoretically every 8 hours as only allowed 1200mg a day, but some high strength brands seem to allow 1600mg a day.

E.g. www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/7350/smpc

PinkFizzz · 27/12/2018 21:57

I'd speak to the pharmacist if you can't make it to the GP. They'll be able to suggest other things that might help and advise you on what is safe and for how long.

Generally the advice is to see the doctor if things haven't improved in 7 days.

Walkingthroughawall · 27/12/2018 21:58

You can take it as long as you need it. But you should only take 8 tablets in a 24 hour period (2 tabs every 6 hours if you’re spreading it through the whole 24 hrs). If you’ve literally been taking it every 4 hours (ie 12 tabs a day) for several days you should see a doctor as this would count as being a staggered overdose.

Original poster
Starlight90 · 28/12/2018 03:49

Thank you all. Day 5 now. 3:50am and im up shivering. Ill try one 500mg and a hot water bottle!

OP posts:
mrbob · 28/12/2018 04:21

If you are going to take it take the proper dose of 2x500mg tablets. No closer than 4 hours till the next dose and no more than 4 doses in a day
If you need something else as well take ibuprofen
Taking paracetamol long term is fine. They just say to see your GP after a week as you probably need a review if you are no better

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