Accidentally took 4 paracetamol- 14 weeks

[Bizawit]

Hi there,
I realise this is utterly stupid but here goes. I have a horrendous cold. 14 weeks preg and single parent to a 2 year old. I woke up this morning feeling terrible and took some paracetamol. Thing is I’m not sure how much I took! I can be so absent minded and do something without thinking, and I think I went to the drawer at least twice - thinking I hadn’t already taken any- and took two. My best guess is I’ve taken 4 altogether, but it’s possible I took 6!! Cant be more than that based on what’s left. As soon as I realised what I might have done I went to the loo and emptied my stomach. But not sure how helpful this is? I’m not really worried about myself but what about the foetus? Anyone have any advice?

Call your GP, or 111 if closed today.

Yeah, call 111. I expect they’ll want to assess you, so I’d prepare for that - in my experience, they don’t mess about with potential paracetamol overdoses even when you’re not pregnant.

If you have to go in, take a charger and a book, and I hope it’s quiet this early! Good luck

If they are the usual 200mg you buy over the counter, I wouldn't worry if you have taken 4 - doctors can prescribe stronger ones than that with no ill effects. The maximum dose is 1000mg a time. 6 would be dodgy though. What is really important is that you don't exceed the maximum daily dose of 4000mg.

@Farcry66

If they are the usual 200mg you buy over the counter, I wouldn't worry if you have taken 4 - doctors can prescribe stronger ones than that with no ill effects. The maximum dose is 1000mg a time. 6 would be dodgy though. What is really important is that you don't exceed the maximum daily dose of 4000mg.

Er not true in the Uk so be careful about what potentially dangerous advice you are giving. Paracetamol comes in 500mg not 200mg maybe you getting mixed up with ibuprofen?

Would advise contacting 111 will need assessing.

Ring 111 and they can calculate whether it was dangerous or not. I accidentally did this once when I was out of it with a cold and I had two paracetamol followed by a lemsip so I was well over the dosage but actually when I rang 111 I was well under toxic levels. I wasn’t pregnant at the time though but just to make you feel you’re not stupid for doing it! X

Contact 111 for advice but stay calm and don't panic. It is highly unlikely that an extra 2 will cause harm but always best to get advice just in case.

Assuming that your kidneys and liver are in full working order, you’ve only taken 2g-3G of paracetamol. This is below toxicity and there should be no negative effects. Toxicity is at about 13g or 150mg per kg if I remember correctly. However considering you are pregnant I would call 111 so you can be properly triaged.