Ibuprofen and paracetamol for period cramps - quick question

[OnlyByGrace]

I am having really bad period cramps today and have been alternating paracetamol and ibuprofen all day but I am a bit confused about the dosages.

I took paracetamol at 5am, 10am and 5pm. It says do not take more than 4 dosages in 24 hours, does that mean I have to wait until 5am to take my 4th dose? Or can I take another dose now as it has been more than 4 hours so long as I do not take another dose before 5am?

I took one ibuprofen tablet two hours ago, usually I would take 2 tablets every 4 hours. Can I take another dose now even though it has been only two hours or do I need to wait another 2 hours?

Sorry I am in so much pain I cannot think it through properly and I am always overly cautious with paracetamol as I know someone who had an accidental overdose and had to go to A&E.

You can take 4x2 tablets of paracetamol in 24hrs. So you can take one more dose, then 5am would start another 24 hour time block. Just no more than 8 tablets within 24 hours. If you only took 1 ibuprofen you will be fine to take 1 more. Ideally no more than 6 ibuprofen tablets in 24 hours (assuming 200mg tablets). Hope you feel better soon

Paracetamol you can take another dose as more than 4 hours since last one. No more after that until 5am.
Ibuprofen every 4-6 hours. So non until at least 1/1:30 am.

I missed the only 1 ibuprofen. Take another 1 now and then start 4-6 hours for next dose.

Have you tried switching paracetamol for co-codomol?

Just make sure the ibuprofen is 200mg tablets and not 400mg ones.