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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To panic?

52 replies

Stormwhale · 01/03/2018 15:07

I have called 111, but they are understandable busy and I have got to wait for a call back. Posting here for traffic, hopefully someone else has been as stupid as me.

I have accidentally taken 2 lots of 30/500 cocodamol, so 4 tablets instead of two. I wasn't trying to overdose or get high, I was just distracted and realised after I had taken the second lot that I had already taken them a couple of minutes before.

Am i going to die? Or feel awful? Or will I be ok? 111 are going to phone me back to ask my weight and check if it's a toxic amount, but it's been about 25 minutes now and I'm getting worried.

OP posts:
ChardonnaysPrettySister · 01/03/2018 16:28

You will be fine, but might get constipated.

Lauren83 · 01/03/2018 16:34

You will be fine, it's easy done! I had a baby last month and got my codeine mixed up with my iron tablets and took 16 iron tablets in 2 days (should have been 1 a day) thinking they were the codeine. 111 called me back and asked my weight etc and said there was no issue. I'm just glad I got through my c section recovery with bloody iron tablets!

unweavedrainbow · 01/03/2018 16:37

Shen0102 the issue isn't the codeine (120mg codeine is only approx 10 to 12mg morphine which really isn't very much, I take morphine as my day to day med and take more than that before breakfast), it's that the gap between analgesia and overdose when it comes to paracetamol isn't very big at all. We're used to treating paracetamol as a "safe" medication but it can be really quite dangerous. It's unlikely that the amount the OP has taken will do her any harm but it's worth checking when it comes to paracetamol. The Americans are terrified of the stuff which is probably going to far in the wrong direction, but I do think that we can be a bit too blasé sometimes.

LimonViola · 01/03/2018 16:39

Spot on unweavedrainbow. It's interesting the people who think the excess codeine may do more damage than paracetamol at this low strength.

LimonViola · 01/03/2018 16:40

Also wave to a fellow morphine before breakfast and during the dayer 😂

TheViceOfReason · 01/03/2018 16:45

panic and thinking you might die is a bit of an over reaction.

Why not phone the chemist and ask them for re-assurance?

You'll be absolutely fine though.

BeyondThePage · 01/03/2018 16:50

Do not take any more paracetamol for 8 hours (and no more than 8x500mg in any 24 hours)

That may not be great for you pain relief wise if your codeine is only in co-codamol form, but do not take the next dose... sorry.

neveradullmoment99 · 01/03/2018 16:55

My dh used to take 4 instead of 2 frequently when he was growing up and until I shouted at him. He is still alive.

falsepriest · 01/03/2018 16:55

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Etymology23 · 01/03/2018 16:57

Spot on unweaved - paracetamol is the risk here.

PinkyBlunder · 01/03/2018 16:58

Bloody hell Lauren you must’ve been shitting bricks!!! Shock

Not helpful. Sorry OP.

Missingstreetlife · 01/03/2018 17:15

Phone pharmacy or gp to put your mind at rest
Paracetamol is bad for your liver (never try to suicide with it, it's a slow painful end) but doubt an extra dose will be critical. Salt water will make you vomit.
Codeine can suppress breathing but again one extra dose probably ok.

chocolateworshipper · 01/03/2018 17:32

Phoning a pharmacist is an excellent suggestion. I think generally we (people in general) don't make enough use of pharmacists.

I actually know what the lethal dose of paracetamol is (not going to say what it is for obvious reasons) but it's a lot more than what you've taken. You should still get advice ASAP of course and definitely do NOT make yourself sick.

Lauren83 · 01/03/2018 17:33

PinkyBlunder I won't lie it took a while to get back to normal! Lesson learnt Shock

DalekDalekDalek · 01/03/2018 17:39

Phoning a pharmacist is definitely a good idea to reassure yourself.

I really don't think the amount you've taken is enough to cause you any harm. A lot of people accidentally mess up doses a little by taking them too close together etc.

Normally the therapeutic dose of a drug (ie the dose you need for it to treat the problems) and the harmful dose are reasonably far apart otherwise it would be dangerous and would probably be needed to be prescribed based on weight and overseen by medics.

I'm sure part of the reason you feel a bit funny now is because you are expecting yourself to. If you'd taken it without realising you probably wouldn't notice at all.

laurzj82 · 01/03/2018 17:43

I posted a similar thread on here a few months ago. I rang 111. They said I would be fine. As long as you don't have too many over the 24 hours. Hope you feep better soon OP

VladmirsPoutine · 01/03/2018 17:47

I don't think you will die, but I'll keep checking back to this thread to see if you keep updating Grin

Try to calm down, eat something and not face your mortal fear.

QueenOfGaviscon · 01/03/2018 17:58

The pharmacist might be able to help?

Original poster
Stormwhale · 01/03/2018 19:53

Thank you very much for all the advice. 111 phoned back and the nurse was brilliant. They checked my bodyweight against the amounts of the drugs. Surprisingly she was much more worried about the codeine than the paracetamol. Apparently anything over 2.5mg/kg of bodyweight is a real concern, but luckily I was at 2.04. I have been woozy all afternoon, but it has worn off now and I feel fine. Thanks again!

OP posts:
chocolateworshipper · 01/03/2018 21:35

Ah that's great news OP

Purplelion · 01/03/2018 22:16

I can’t believe you phoned 111 over 4 tablets to be honest

Original poster
Stormwhale · 01/03/2018 22:21

Well sorry that I'm not a medical expert like you purplelion.

OP posts:
ScreamingValenta · 01/03/2018 22:23

You did absolutely the right thing in seeking medical advice, OP. I'm glad to hear you are OK now.

FairiesVsPixies · 01/03/2018 22:28

Always better to be safe than sorry. Glad you're ok.

cindersrella · 01/03/2018 22:29

Phone a 24 hour pharmacist. They should be able to give advise 😀