Urgent- Accidental paracetemol overdose

[laurzj82]

Posting here for traffic. Please go easy on me as I already feel stupid enough. Am on co-codamol 500/30 for back pain. Also have a bad cold and have had a lemsip drink forgetting about the paracetemol in it. I am such an idiot.

Should I phone 111? I don't want to waste their time. That's not enough to do any damage is it?

Thanks in advance

Sorry should have said I took two co-codamol at about 7 and lemsip about 10 mins ago if that makes a difference..?

Definitely phone 111 to be on the safe side. You're not wasting their time as it's the non emergency line they'll be able to advise you, although you should be fine

don't panic, you'll be ok, just don't make a habit of it

((((((((((Hugs)))))))))))

former pharmacy assistant

How much did you take yesterday? Is it the first doses of paracetamol you took at all? It makes a difference

Ring 111, it's better than ask strangers on the internet. I could tell you that's it's fine and I took more, but that doesn't mean anything about you.

Im not a doctor so cant give medical advice - I just want to say I'm 100% certain they won't think you are wasting time over that, so definitely call 111!

No that's not An overdose, you will come to no harm.
Hope u r feeling better soon.

I think what's important here is how much other paracetamol you've taken over the last 48 hours or so. You do have to be careful with how it builds up. Chances are it will be absolutely fine.

I hate people who over use health services for no reason but in this case I would give them a call. They will have dealt with similar questions many times.

Yes call. Happened to SIL recently and he had to be treated to avoid harm.

Thank you everyone for your fast replies! Think I will call just to check as I have been taking the co codemol regularly... Thanks again so much. Am so embarrassed you and 111 handlers will think I am so stupid I blame lack of sleep!

No need to phone 111 if its only 1 dose of lemsip.

Oh bless you! I did something very similar once. I phoned 111 and chatted it through with a lovely nurse who completely understood (it was when my children were very young and I was totally sleep deprived). The lady at the other end said it's how much you've taken over a 24hr period that is the dose so as long as you haven't taken more paracetamol over the last day you should be ok, that said I think you've done the right thing calling them to double check.

Ring 111 - you will probably be fine but never take any chances with paracetamol.

We gave DS2 a double dose of Calpol once. We did phone 111 to check, and they reassured us that it is the cumulative amount over 24 hours that is the key, so you should be fine. No harm in calling them, though.

And fuck off to the people telling you not to ring. Totally irresponsible - you could kill the OP if she follows your advice.

Paracetamol has a very narrow therapeutic window - the difference between a safe and dangerous is tiny and people regularly die of accidental overdoses. A single accidental extra dose will probably be fine but someone with proper training needs to go through exactly how much she has taken and her medical history to ensure she is safe.

One lempsip plus co codamol is not an overdose , you will be absolutely fine.

Shiny the op has said what she has taken and no the difference is not tiny at all. That being said paracetamol od are very serious but the op has not overdosed.

the difference is not tiny at all

Yes it is. And it is not just a question of what the OP has just taken, but also what she has had over the last few days and whether there are other risk factors such as liver disease. That's why no one including doctors like me can actually tell her whether she is safe based on the OP.

I am sure you will be absolutely fine. I wouldn't ring 111.

And this is why the internet and medical are never a good mix!

PLEASE just phone. Better to be safe than sorry.

Am so embarrassed you and 111 handlers will think I am so stupid

I wouldn't think you're stupid for calling 111 with a medical enquiry, but I do think you're daft to be wasting time asking on a forum instead. Don't take a chance with potential paracetamol overdoses, get some proper medical advice instead.

two cocodamol and one lemsip is not an overdose

Are you a doctor bruffian?

But it's not just two co-codamol and a Lemsip - OP says she takes co-codamol regularly.

I completely agree with shiny, it is not merely what's she has taken this morning but what she has had in last 24 hours together with her medical history that will ascertain if she is safe or not.

Always better to be on the safe side and ring to discuss your full history before a decision is reached.