Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Is mixing nurofen and paracetomal OK for adults too?

33 replies

Twiglett · 20/02/2005 16:22

Like you do for babies

just wondering if its ok to intersperse them or have I been poisoning myself the last few days

OP posts:
snafu · 20/02/2005 16:23

If it's okay for babies then I'm sure it's absolutely fine for adults...probably?

happymerryberries · 20/02/2005 16:24

Yes, you will be fine. They act in different ways. Just make sure that you stick to both the accepted maximum doses, and put in the second when the first is mid way between doses IYSWIM. And ibuprofen is a no-no is you are asthmatic

happymerryberries · 20/02/2005 16:25

And you can trust me I used to work for Boots who invented ibuprofen! As an aside don't bother buying Neurofen, always get the Boots own brand ibuprofen, they are made in the same factory to the same standards!

NotQuiteCockney · 20/02/2005 16:25

This is fine.

If you're really miserable, you can also have codeine. Makes you dopey, though. (But is fine with bf)

Original poster
Twiglett · 20/02/2005 16:26

is it? I didn't know that HMB

don't think I am asthmatic any more .. I got pregnancy induced asthma but it seems to have settled down and I haven't taken inhalers for a few months .. although every time I get a cold it goes straight to my chest

arrrghhh .. don't know what to do now

OP posts:
sievehead · 20/02/2005 16:29

You definitely can mix them. I was told that when I had tonsillitis - you take paracetamol, then 2 hours later nurofen, and so on. Hope you are ok. Whats up?

Original poster
Twiglett · 20/02/2005 16:54

all my glands for a start

joints ache

stuffy nose

sore throat

shivers and fevers

the usual really .. but particularly nasty one ..

OP posts:
Flossam · 20/02/2005 17:56

Twiglett have you ever taken aspirin or ibuprofen before? If so and no problems you are most likely to be fine. Both DP and me are athsmatics and take ibuprofen and paracetamol together. What is a really good idea is to take paracetamol, then ibuprofen 2 hours later, paracetamol 4-6 hrly after the first dose (of paracetamol). Unless you're in major pain, then take them both at the same time to hit the nail on the head so to speak. HTH!

happymerryberries · 20/02/2005 18:01

Yes the advice is realy to stop you having a particular allergic reaction to the ibuprofen. Astmatics are a little more likely to get the reaction, so they are advised not to use aspirin or ibuprofen. If you have taken it before, chances are youwill be OK, but the formal advice is still to avoid it IYSWIM

Original poster
Twiglett · 20/02/2005 18:03

thanks for clearing that up guys

OP posts:
NotQuiteCockney · 20/02/2005 18:05

If you're having problems sleeping, thanks to the bug, I strongly recommend codeine at night.

misdee · 20/02/2005 18:06

can u get codeine on its own over the counter? i've only had it on perscription.

NotQuiteCockney · 20/02/2005 18:09

Not entirely on its own, with paracetamol. They keep it behind the counter, you have to ask for it, and a pharmacist will peer at you or maybe ask you what it's for, but I've never had any problems.

I don't use it often (haven't for ages) but as I tend to b/f for ages, and you can't have night nurse when b/f, it's nice to know you have something that will knock you out when you have a nasty cold.

NotQuiteCockney · 20/02/2005 18:09

Oh, it's worth knowing, it can be addictive. My sister used to have a real habit. But I don't like feeling foggy, I just like getting some sleep when I'm ill.

misdee · 20/02/2005 18:11

it can be very addictive. dh is paranoid he'll be addicted to it. but has been off it now for 2 weeks. was taking it nightly in dec and jan. it helps stop night coughs as well.

Original poster
Twiglett · 20/02/2005 18:12

is it called co-proxamol? like they give you in hospital (you're right .. I can't sleep)

OP posts:
Original poster
Twiglett · 20/02/2005 18:13

actually forget that .. I wouldn't take it .. don't really need it that much

OP posts:
Slinky · 20/02/2005 18:30

Went into Boots yesterday to get Calpol and Nurofen for DD2 (having tonsils out tomorrow). Boots refused to sell me both together, so had to buy Calpol in Boots, then walk round to Lloyds to get the Nurofen.

Original poster
Twiglett · 20/02/2005 18:31

that's strange .. my chemists (and Boots) don't have a problem with it

OP posts:
Enid · 20/02/2005 18:34

solpadeine (codeine and paracetamol) is brilliant in the night (not solpadeine plus, thats got caffeine in). I took that and nurofen when I had flu/sore throat over Christmas and it was a brill combo. Sorry to hear you feel so rubbish x E

Slinky · 20/02/2005 18:37

Twig - no I've never had a problem before (in either Boots or Lloyds) - I just think I was being served by "Mr Jobsworth" yesterday - did try to argue the toss but he wasn't having any of it

NotQuiteCockney · 20/02/2005 19:15

co-codamol is another name for codeine and paracetamol, twiglett, I think that's what you mean? They do give it to you post-section, that's when I found out it was easily available here, and ok when breastfeeding. (Boots brand sells it as codeine and paracetamol, though.)

I think it's worth taking when you need it, if you're careful about addiction, and not worried about constipation (which it does tend to cause). But then, I feel the best way to get better is to sleep well, at pretty much any cost.

Flossam · 20/02/2005 19:15

I thought they had stopped prescribing co-proximal (paracetamol and codeine) or am I just confused.

NotQuiteCockney · 20/02/2005 19:23

They gave it to me when I was recovering from my section, in September. So I think they're still prescribing it.

Flossam · 21/02/2005 10:54

No, this was only in the last month or so. I'll look it up.