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Original poster

What do you think a paracetamol dose is

131 replies

2021hwg · 21/05/2021 22:50

So. Neither dh or I take many painkillers.

Tonight I had a bad headache so grabbed the box and took two! Dh was appalled and Said. What are you doing. It's one tablet not two.

We can't agree. I think on your normal box of paracetamol the dose is two.

OP posts:
mistermagpie · 21/05/2021 22:57

When I was in hospital to have a baby the poor woman opposite me was having a miscarriage. I overheard the nurse talking to her about paracetamol and saying that actually because of her weight, she should only really have one and not two tablets. I didn't see the woman but presumably she was quite small.

Similarly when my son was given paracetamol in hospital, they weighed him first and the dose was actually quite a bit more than the dose I would have given him by going off the calpol bottle.

So I guess two is the average, or maximum maybe, because nobody is going to bother weighing themselves and it would just over complicate the instructions. But if you are particularly small then one would be fine.

MistySkiesAfterRain · 21/05/2021 22:58

2 for severe headache, 1 for mild.

SnarkyBag · 21/05/2021 22:58

God your DH wouldn’t like me I take two paracetamol and two ibuprofen together for a headache

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BackforGood · 21/05/2021 22:59

Two is a standard dose.

Purplewithred · 21/05/2021 23:01

Standard dose of paracetamol for an adult is 1g. If you want to take half you can but there's no particular virtue in doing that IMHO. And if you know you are going to be in pain - eg post-op - the recommendation is to take your pain relief regularly and not wait for the pain to build up.

BertieBotts · 21/05/2021 23:02

OK good call about the weight actually - according to this if you're under 55kg then you should not be having 2 each time.

www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/10817/smpc#gref

55kg is about 8 stone 9lbs

Well that's useful to know - my stash will last twice as long when I'm not pregnant any more!

PieonaBarm · 21/05/2021 23:04

I've just come out of hospital and if the nurses gave you paracetamol they always gave two. So the standard dose is two!

FudgeFlake · 21/05/2021 23:05

Paracetamol (and ibuprofen and aspirin) are deliberately only sold in 5mg doses, so that it doesn't matter what the brand name might be, dosage is the same, you take one or two, no more, at a time, and wait for four hours before taking any more. And no more than eight all together in any 24 hour period.

MovingHouse21 · 21/05/2021 23:06

One or two 500mg tablets/caplets. Unless you weigh less than 50kg in which case you should reduce the dose.

fantasmasgoria1 · 21/05/2021 23:07

I would say it depends on the level of pain. If I have a headache 2 paracetamol has absolutely no impact. I have cocodamol 30/500mg for other pain and I take another couple of them for a headache.

Bagelsandbrie · 21/05/2021 23:08

He’s appalled that you took 2!? Wtf. He wants to try living with me Grin - chronic disabilities including lupus means I have 22 items on repeat prescription and take Cocodamol 30/500 every day. 2 paracetamol is absolutely fine and nothing in comparison!

WeatherwaxOn · 21/05/2021 23:09

2 tablets.
In the past I have suffered with migraines that have incapacitated me, so I would rather try to stop a headache developing as soon as possible.

Camomila · 21/05/2021 23:10

BertieBotts Wooops. I often take 2 at once and I'm small. Good to know!
I always give myself the older children's dose of piriton instead of the adult dose as the adult dose knocks me out.

Did everyone else know you can give DC paracetamol and ibuprofen at the same time? I can't believe I got to 5 years of parenthood without knowing that (my 5 year old had a bad virus this week, the nurse told me on the phone).

lucy5236 · 21/05/2021 23:10

@mistermagpie

When I was in hospital to have a baby the poor woman opposite me was having a miscarriage. I overheard the nurse talking to her about paracetamol and saying that actually because of her weight, she should only really have one and not two tablets. I didn't see the woman but presumably she was quite small.

Similarly when my son was given paracetamol in hospital, they weighed him first and the dose was actually quite a bit more than the dose I would have given him by going off the calpol bottle.

So I guess two is the average, or maximum maybe, because nobody is going to bother weighing themselves and it would just over complicate the instructions. But if you are particularly small then one would be fine.

I was told this in hospital but I'm only 5'2 and 48kg. Since I've been an adult I've always taken 2 but the hospital staff would only give me one every 4 hours as apparently and adult dose is for people over 50kg....not that it tells you that on the pack!

Ps 2 never done me any harm!

LittleBearPad · 21/05/2021 23:10

It’s 2.

LittleBearPad · 21/05/2021 23:10

He can suffer on 1

thecatwithnoeyes · 21/05/2021 23:12

@2021hwg

The box is just boots paracetamol and says take 1-2 tablets. He reads that's as one and two in extreme circumstances. I just think standard dose is two

The dose is one or two tablets. Whichever you decide. There is no standard dose. It's a choice.

Megan2018 · 21/05/2021 23:12

I always take 2.
I’d never bother with just one.

Suzi888 · 21/05/2021 23:12

2 paracetamol you can take ibuprofen also. I used to have a boyfriend that freaked out if I took two paracetamolConfused he also insisted it was one.

Camomila · 21/05/2021 23:12

(DC medicine disclaimer - I don't know if that includes babies and toddlers or just older ones).

CarolandDarryl · 21/05/2021 23:13

I don’t think I have ever taken just one paracetamol.

TheSmallAssassin · 21/05/2021 23:13

Why should you have to agree? How many paracetamol you take is your own business, who cares what he thinks?

Youngatheart00 · 21/05/2021 23:15

2 is absolutely standard...I’d say if you take one you’re clearly not really in pain.

In fact (and this absolutely isn’t medical advice just my experience) I’ll often take 3 at once for bad period pain or for a hormonal headache. I then most likely don’t need to do the ‘top up’ dose 4-6 hours after. I was told this by a pharmacist!

SteveArnottsCodeine · 21/05/2021 23:18

@SnarkyBag

God your DH wouldn’t like me I take two paracetamol and two ibuprofen together for a headache
I get bad migraines so would have all of that and 17 aspirin if nothing actually prescribed (i.e proper) was available. I’m enjoying all of these “one usually sorts me right out” posts, these people must have such lovely lives with their pain-free heads! Jealous doesn’t cover it. Grin
balloonsintrees · 21/05/2021 23:21

@Bagelsandbrie

He’s appalled that you took 2!? Wtf. He wants to try living with me Grin - chronic disabilities including lupus means I have 22 items on repeat prescription and take Cocodamol 30/500 every day. 2 paracetamol is absolutely fine and nothing in comparison!
Snap! I'm not my body actually recognises paracetamol anymore as something that is suppose to mask pain🤣🤣

2 is a normal dose, no more than 8 in a 24 hour period and a paracetamol overdose takes ages to show any effects.

Your dh is being a bit weird

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