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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be scared that I accidentally took 3 paracetamol instead of 2?

60 replies

iloveeverykindofcat · 14/08/2017 08:09

Posting here for traffic. I've read all those horror stories about people dying from minor paracetamol overdose. Doctors/pharmacists/fellow people who don't read packets properly, please reassure me?

I'm not gonna die, right?

OP posts:
Jessiecat27 · 14/08/2017 08:10

You'll be fine! One extra won't kill you don't worry!

RochelleGoyle · 14/08/2017 08:10

You're not going to die. Try to forget about it!

IbexToDiffer · 14/08/2017 08:10

What....no of course you aren't. Do you have health anxiety?

Imamouseduh · 14/08/2017 08:10

No you aren't going to die. Now get on with your day.

kingofthemingers · 14/08/2017 08:12

No you won't die. Why did you take 3?

Original poster
iloveeverykindofcat · 14/08/2017 08:13

I didn't think so really....well, not much Grin. Not health anxiety particularly, just generally an anxious person. I took three because when I get up I'm supposed to take 2x paracetamol and 2x ibupofren, I was half asleep, you can see where this is going.

OP posts:
FindoGask · 14/08/2017 08:14

how do you accidentally take three paracetamol?

I'm not a doctor or pharmacologist, but my understanding is that one of the factors with paracetamol overdose is the amount taken over 24 hours. So if that's your only dose you should be OK. I would wait more than 6 hours before taking any more.

FindoGask · 14/08/2017 08:14

ah, cross post!

PumpkinPie2016 · 14/08/2017 08:16

You'll be fine Grin I, personally have done similar in the past and asked the GP who lives next door and he said it would be fine.

I left a longer period of time between the dose I had taken and the next one and was fine.

Gorgosparta · 14/08/2017 08:16

Do many people die from minor paracetamol over dose? One tablet over? With no other factors?

You will be fine. I would leave it a but longer before your next does though. Flowers

SayNoToCarrots · 14/08/2017 08:16

You will be fine. The dosage is based on average weight anyway, with leeway for different weights. Just don't take more within eight hours, rather than the usual four.

FindoGask · 14/08/2017 08:18

I think people scoffing at the OP are being a bit unfair. It's wise to be cautious about paracetamol really.

RelaxMax · 14/08/2017 08:19

You'll be fine - my friend took 5 once and A and E sent her home because it wasn't enough to be dangerous.

Rossigigi · 14/08/2017 08:21

You will be absolutely fine stop
Worrying

Original poster
iloveeverykindofcat · 14/08/2017 08:21

Relax that's good to know! I'm actually a small person (5"4/8st) but if 5 isn't dangerous I daresay I'll just about live Grin. Thanks everyone

OP posts:
pigeondujour · 14/08/2017 08:23

Two plus one for luck is par for the course innit.

AllTheWittyNamesAreGone · 14/08/2017 08:24

I've always taken three as standard since I was a teen.

Gorgosparta · 14/08/2017 08:26

I dont think people are scoffing. The op says she 'all' these stories of people dying of minor overdose.

I genuinely havent heard of someone dying of taking 1 extra paracetamol. Which is why i asked.

Rafflesway · 14/08/2017 08:27

Can't see a problem!

I take 3 when I need them anyway as I find 2 aren't really strong enough for me. Have done for years with no issues.

PearlyPinkNails · 14/08/2017 08:28

You'll be grand.

BootsWithDresses · 14/08/2017 08:31

I took 10 once and I'm still here.

morningconstitutional2017 · 14/08/2017 08:56

I would think you'd be all right. When I worked at the HQ of a large well known high street pharmacy one of our 'team leaders' would advise us to take three tablets if we had a bad headache at work. This made sure that the pain would go and we didn't need to take another dose a few hours later.

To be on the safe side I'd always look at any other medication (cough mixture, lozenges, etc) I was also taking just to see what it amounted to.

Minkyfluffster · 14/08/2017 08:57

Have a hearty breakfast, you will be fine,

sonjadog · 14/08/2017 09:00

If people died from one extra paracetamol, I don´t think they would be as widely available as they are now...

Badbadbird · 14/08/2017 09:07

if you took 2 boxes of paracetamol at once, then maybe worry... 1 extra will do nothing