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is 2000mg (2g?) paracetamol single dose dangerous? Any nurse/dr around?

15 replies

IncompleteSenten · 24/05/2026 18:04

My sister has accidentally taken double paracetamol and just needs reassurance she'll be ok.

She had 2 paracetamol this morning. and now just took 2 paracetamol and without thinking took 2 co-codamol as well.

I told her she is most likely absolutely fine but she's worried so I said I would ask mumsnet.

Important information

she's very fat. (so am I) and her bmi is massive. my thinking is large body weight is an advantage here.

It's a small overdose and an amount hospitals give (2g loading dose) so unlikely to be harmful (this is just my opinion but I am not a medical professional)

My sister is blind and agoraphobic and is getting in a panic about if she calls 111 for reassurance they will call an ambulance.

She's scared she's accidentally harmed herself but more scared of being told to go to the hospital. She has some preexisting minor kidney damage but no liver problems.

Really need some calm, rational, knowledgeable opinions because this is a complex situation and not a case of just go to a& e to be on the safe side.

I tried to use 111 online but it wanted a nurse callback. Google is NOT your friend in these situations so I thought perhaps there might be a nurse/dr on mn who could reassure or advise.

OP posts:
Iloveeverycat · 24/05/2026 18:06

Could you ring or go to a chemist for advice

dementedpixie · 24/05/2026 18:09

She should be fine as long as she doesn't exceed the dose allowed in 24 hours - usually allowed 2 paracetamol a maximum of 4 times a day. Sounds like she's had the equivalent of 6 so hasnt exceeded the 24 hour dose

BuffetTheDietSlayer · 24/05/2026 18:11

She’ll be fine. Just tell her not to have anymore tonight.

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IncompleteSenten · 24/05/2026 18:12

Iloveeverycat · 24/05/2026 18:06

Could you ring or go to a chemist for advice

can't believe I didn't think of that! Thank you. Am ringing now.

OP posts:
ChoosingMyOwnRandomUsername · 24/05/2026 18:14

She'll be fine. A 2g initial dose of paracetamol is given in some circumstances anyway. Assuming she doesn't already have liver issues.

Tbph the last thing i'd be doing is calling 111 for advice. Whichever call centre worker triages you is never going to take a risk and is going to read from their script and send you straight to A&E because of the 'overdose'...and 10 hours later an actual Dr will roll their eyes and send you home.

SeaToSki · 24/05/2026 18:18

She should make sure she drinks lots and lots of water over the next couple of days to help her kidneys flush the paracetamol through and not take any more medicine. Then checking with a chemist is also a good idea

Amberlynnswashcloth · 24/05/2026 18:22

When I did this by accident I was reassured by a doctor that my body would process it but was advised not to take any more for 24hrs. I was fine. Not being a doctor and not knowing your friends medical history my advice would be to phone out of hours for advice but I wouldn't worry about it.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 24/05/2026 18:52

Just call 111. You don't want to listen to randoms online saying 'Ah, it'll be fine' only for it not to be.

KimsInconvenience · 24/05/2026 19:00

I know it won't help and you should talk to a pharmacist or similar, but I live in Spain where the normal.dose of a paracetamol from the pharmacy is often 1g. I take 2 together fairly often, she'll be fine!

Callmeback · 24/05/2026 19:00

Never take medical advice from Mumsnet. Get proper advice.

Hatty65 · 24/05/2026 19:07

She'll be fine. Don't take any more til tomorrow.

To those saying 'Call 111' and get proper advice, my dd worked as a 111 call handler for 2 years. She has absolutely zero medical training at all. If you actually Google what you need to become a 111 health advisor you need a GCSE in Maths and English.

They are just following a script and in a call centre. As a pp said, they will advise you to go to hospital because they will hear 'possible overdose'.

IncompleteSenten · 24/05/2026 19:15

I phoned a late night pharmacy as pp advised and they asked a few questions and said she should be fine but if she was worried, or if she vomited or had pain she should seek medical attention. They said she shouldnt take any more paracetamol for 16 hours.
She is feeling very reassured.

OP posts:
kiwiane · 24/05/2026 19:16

Paracetomol is not safe to overdose, symptoms are serious and don’t show until it’s a too late so she should seek medical advice - none of us know how much she had the previous day.

Callmeback · 24/05/2026 20:18

Hatty65 · 24/05/2026 19:07

She'll be fine. Don't take any more til tomorrow.

To those saying 'Call 111' and get proper advice, my dd worked as a 111 call handler for 2 years. She has absolutely zero medical training at all. If you actually Google what you need to become a 111 health advisor you need a GCSE in Maths and English.

They are just following a script and in a call centre. As a pp said, they will advise you to go to hospital because they will hear 'possible overdose'.

The difference is they can sign post to a nurse or paramedic for advice if needed. Mumsnet can't. Plus anyone on here who claims to be a doctor etc could easily be a jockey or a car salesman - people aren't always who they claim to be.

I called 111 a few months ago and a paramedic rang me back as it was borderline needing an ambulance or not. That's far preferable to questionable advice from an anonymous forum.

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