To think paracetamol overdose is just too easy sometimes

[Soubriquet]

Asked Dh to pick me up some decongestants today as I have a terrible head cold

He gave me some paracetamol before he went out in the mean time

He brought home some sudafed and luckily handed me the box instead of the pills themselves with a drink

Just as I was about to open the box, I quickly spotted one of the added ingredients was paracetamol which meant I couldn't take the pills until now which is 4 hours after my initial dose of paracetamol

Dh didn't notice it at all

Now I know common sense would say to read the box carefully to make sure you know exactly what was in it but hands up honestly who does that? I do because I'm paranoid but I know many who don't.

So AIBU to think that paracetamol overdose is too easy sometimes with it being added to a lot of medications

People aren't saying oh you can take this many, people have said always read the box.
I've purposely not posted what a doctor told me just incase.

Btw u2 it sounds like she is addicted. The symptoms described sounds like withdrawals.
I don't know where sells 60mg without a prescription though, anything over 12mg you need prescribed.
I think if they are taking 6 60mg tablets then they need to get help as it's above the daily amount allowed.
As the poster above mentioned this is dangerous. X

I spent a few days in hospital with DD on a drip to protect her liver while her paracetamol OD worked through her system. I talked with one of the nurses who said that they get a number of similar cases on the children's ward every month.

We had the usual family medicine cabinet stock of straight paracetamol and 'contains paracetamol' cold remedies sufficient for DD to risk doing herself a lot of harm. We are no longer blase about the risk.

This thread should be pulled. It is not hard to OD. The opinions stated on here are dangerous.

^^ Exactly. It really concerns me that someone could come across this thread and be led to believe that it's fine to take a few extra paracetamol tablets as it's apparently so hard to overdose on paracetamol.

The facts are:

1. A safe dose of paracetamol for most adults is 1000mg (2 tablets) every four to six hours, up to a maximum of 4000mg (8 tablets) in any 24 hour period.

1. Taking more than this, intentionally or accidentally, may result in liver damage which can be fatal.

1. The effects of a paracetamol overdose may not be immediately apparent. This is why you should seek urgent medical attention if you have taken too much paracetamol, even if you feel well.

I find it hard to believe that there's actually anything to debate about this.

I agree, it's not hard to OD. Rare, maybe, but if you are unlucky with your biology then it's incredibly easy to OD, and nobody knows for certain in advance how their personal biology will interact with paracetomol.

Only on Mumsnet could there be such a compassionless response to overdose, too. "You should have read the packet, stupid". Well, guess what? People have complex, difficult real lives and sometimes they get really sick, make mistakes, or take a bad judgement call. Maybe rather than putting all the blame, all the time, on individuals, we could recognise that real life away from easy internet judgements, is quite complicated.

KnitsBakesAndReads
HalloToJasonIsaacs
shovetheholly

I totally agree with what you all.

We were very ignorant of the risks until we experienced it with DD. Her OD was intentional (to the extent that a 15 year old intends anything) but it was frightening how little paracetamol had required a significant stay in hospital.

Hi everyone,

We've had a few concerned reports about this thread. Just to reiterate, we've not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here, so cannot vouch for any advice given. If you have any medical concerns we would suggest consulting your GP.