Throbbing headache and took four paracetamol for it

[Ohdear7777]

I rarely take paracetamol and conscious normal does is two but had bad headache so in moment of madness I popped four tablets.

Now a bit scared. Obviously I won’t take any more and haven’t taken them for years so none in the last 24 hours either.

Do I need to do anything?

Normal dose - sorry for typos

Don't take any more. Max dose for an adult is 8 in 24 hours. I wouldn't panic with a one off dose of 4 if you are otherwise healthy and no known liver problems.

Four?

No of course you don’t need to do anything. You won’t take anymore obviousl.

Hi @Ohdear7777 I'm guessing it would take a lot more than that to do any harm so don't think you have anything to worry about.

I would take it easy, drink lots of water, call 111 if you do have any symptoms but otherwise, has it relieved the headache at least?

I hope your headache has eased. If not please do call 111 to seek advice on what you could do next. Do not worry about the one off 4 paracetamol, easily done but please bear in mind taking extra doses of any medication is not advised.

What strength paracetamol? They're not all the same.

Get some alternative painkillers in the house so next time if two paracetamol isn't enough you can have some aspirin or ibuprofen too. Check the dose on your paracetamol package too, you can have 1000mg paracetamol at once. Some products containing paracetamol the dose per sachet or pill is lower.

Don't drink any alcohol today either

Paracetamol is sold as 500mg tablets in the UK. You can take 8 of these tablets in a 24hours period, you've taken 4, as others have said don't worry, you can take another 4 tablets within the same 24hours. You can also take ibuprofen with paracetamol. This is a helpful leaflet, & it goes through red flag signs & symptoms (when to go to A&E) at the end patient.info/brain-nerves/headache-leaflet/tension-headache

No, but never take more paracetamol than recommended. You can cycle with ibuprofen safely.