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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:
Coulddowithanap · 14/08/2017 09:08

I was told about someone who died from a very minor overdose, can't remember if it was lemsip and paracetamol at the same time but really a small amount. They were slim and super healthy too (Maybe they had an underlying condition).

I think one extra should be ok but I would leave it longer before taking your next lot. Guess it depends on the dosage of paracetamol in the tablets.

Cheekyandfreaky · 14/08/2017 09:09

I think it's the caffeine that's the problem, so just lay off the tea and coffee.

alltouchedout · 14/08/2017 09:10

I've taken a lot more and been ok. Wouldn't recommend you're blasé about it in the future but you genuinely don't need to worry now.

Edsheeranalbumparty · 14/08/2017 09:12

I was told about someone who died from a very minor overdose, can't remember if it was lemsip and paracetamol at the same time but really a small amount. They were slim and super healthy too (Maybe they had an underlying condition).

They must have had an underlying condition. As someone else said if you could get seriously ill from taking 3 instead of 2 they wouldn't be available as easily as they are.

This thread is a bit strange. Of course you are not going to come to any harm from taking 3 paracetamol.

youarenotkiddingme · 14/08/2017 09:14

When I was in A & E majors with my friend one night the lady next door had taken an overdose of paracetamol. She clearly had MH issues and was a frequent flier Sad

The Dr asked how how many she'd taken this time. "12". To which he replied "that won't do anything" Shock

Ignoring the obvious terrible care this lady was receiving I think you can safely consider your 3 to be fine!

Schroedingerscatagain · 14/08/2017 09:15

If it helps to reassure you I recently had minor surgery, preoperatively I was given 4 paracetamol for pain relief as a single dose and I'm only 5ft

scaevola · 14/08/2017 09:15

The margin between the safe does for paracetamol and the potentially lethal/liver-wrecking is surprisingly small. If the drug was discovered today, it probably wouldn't be OTC for safety reasons!

That said, if you are not exceeding the 24 hour limit, and are spacing other doses conservatively (try waiting until at 1.5 times the minimum before taking just one for your next dose today) you'll be OK

But having taken the wrong tablet this morning, is there any way you can reorganise your morning meds so it doesn't happen again?

Gorgosparta · 14/08/2017 09:16

I was told about someone who died from a very minor overdose, can't remember if it was lemsip and paracetamol at the same time but really a small amount. They were slim and super healthy too (Maybe they had an underlying condition)

Being told and it bring fact are 2 different things.

Which is what i was getting at. The op has heard these stories andbarr triggering her anxiety. But they are unlikely to be true.
Or not the whole truth.

There was a thread here where an op claimed her friends in the local pub had all tried some chilli vodka (might not have been vodka) that one bought at a food fair. They all became instantly sick one had to go to hospital and the police had confirmed it had anti-freeze in.

Was total bollocks. The vodka came with a warning about how hot it was and that it could cause nausea. Anti freeze was never found or confirmed. The Op had just seen it on facebook.

Not a shred of truth to it.

Gorgosparta · 14/08/2017 09:25

In fact googling it one woman did die of overdose including lemsip. She was taking large amounts of paracetamol and lemsip for weeks. When she vomited through overdose, she took more because she thought she had vomitted it up. When she got really ill she went to a&e but didnt stay because of the wait.

Another was taking paracetamol for pain washed down with lemsip, again for weeks on end.

I cant see any cases where people have overdosed because they took 1 lemsip or 1 lemsip with paracetamol or one extra tablet on 1 occassion.

Original poster
iloveeverykindofcat · 14/08/2017 09:28

Yeah, I will definitely reorganize them and put them out properly tonight. Also I'll skip the next dose (I have hypermobility syndrome so I'm usually on something)

OP posts:
Albadross · 14/08/2017 09:45

I took about 20 a day for almost 5 years and I'm ok - not recommended but you'll be fine Wink

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 14/08/2017 09:45

Have a read of this patient.info/doctor/paracetamol-poisoning - it will probably reassure you. :)
And yes to organising better!

Original poster
iloveeverykindofcat · 14/08/2017 10:03

Thumb thank you, it did. Though I was interested to note that taking 4g/24 hrs over a period of time has resulted in hepatoxicity!

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

Those of you who regularly take 3 at a time - please stop doing that! If 2 paracetamol isn't strong enough for you then take them with ibuprofen or codeine or get to the Drs for something on prescription. OP will be fine but regularly taking more paracetamol than is recommended is bad for you

FoxyRoxy · 14/08/2017 10:16

In Spain you can buy 1g paracetamol OTC and the usual amount in one tablet is 600mg (same for ibuprofen). Op you will be fine, don't worry.

FoxyRoxy · 14/08/2017 10:17

1g tablets that should say.

joannegrady90 · 14/08/2017 10:18

You can actually double the dosage anyway if you're really poorly . My doctor told me 4x500 mg every 4 hours.

SophieGiroux · 14/08/2017 11:36

I can't believe the advice that some people are giving regarding taking more than 2 x 500g tablets at a time. For one thing it doesn't work any better than 2 and you are putting yourself at risk of liver damage. The 1g ones in Spain are equivalent to 2x500mg and they take ONE!

SophieGiroux · 14/08/2017 11:38

To the OP, a one off dose of 3 tablets is not going to cause any harm but it's when people do it on a regular basis that the damage is caused, often unknown until it's too late.

UnderslungBowlingBall · 14/08/2017 11:38

3 tablets is a lethal dose if you weigh 6kg. You weigh 50kg, you'd need to take 25 to potential kill you. I think you'll be fine, but maybe no more for today.

SophieGiroux · 14/08/2017 11:39

500mg not g

Writerwannabe83 · 14/08/2017 12:10

My toddler possibly had two paracetamol tablets once and A&E weren't concerned. So if my 2 year old can safely have two paracetamol then I'm sure you'll be fine with three Grin

Doctors told me that a toxic dose is 75mg per KG so unless you weigh about 20kg I'm sure you're fine Smile

Ps) if it makes you feel any better I'm a total worrier and I would have reacted exactly the same as you if I'd accidentally had three tablets Grin

lynmilne65 · 14/08/2017 12:55
Hmm
youarenotkiddingme · 14/08/2017 12:58

Helpful advice Lyn Hmm

TwoKidsAndCounting · 14/08/2017 13:04

I always do this if the pain (usually headache) is bad enough, works a treat, you'll be fine, don't worry