Andrew
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Registered: 5th May 04
Location: Skoda Octavia Estate, Ford Puma
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Can this actually damage your body? I have to take this regularly as i suffer from head aches. I'd say at least 3 times a week i take a couple. But today i've taken them twice and now need more  It's to do with stress today as i've been at the hospital with my nan which is touch and go at the minute and has just been transfered to ICU. I've been sent home to get some sleep..
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Colin
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Registered: 4th Apr 02
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Cant see taking a couple a week doing anything!! Its taking a full packet with a bottle of vodka thats the problem!!
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Robin
Premium Member
Registered: 7th Jan 04
Location: Northants Drives: Clio 182 Cup
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If you take too many, yes, you can get gastric ulcers.
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Cosmo
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Registered: 29th Mar 01
Location: Im the real one!
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2 every 4 hours normally isnt it?
It'll do no harm taking another 2 normally after a few hours, as colin said its more taking a pack and swigging it down with some vodka that will do it!
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Robin
Premium Member
Registered: 7th Jan 04
Location: Northants Drives: Clio 182 Cup
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Taking them regularly over long periods is bad too
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Kurt
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Registered: 23rd Oct 05
Location: Hi
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How does paracetamol work?
Paracetamol is thought to work by blocking the production of chemicals, known as prostaglandins, which are involved in pain transmission. But, unlike aspirin and non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, it blocks them in the brain not at the source of pain.
What is paracetamol for?
Paracetamol can be taken to relieve mild to moderate pain due to things such as headache, muscle and joint pain, backache and period pains. It is also used to bring down a high temperature. For this reason, paracetamol can be given to children after vaccinations to prevent post-immunisation pyrexia (high temperature). Paracetamol is often included in cough, cold and flu remedies.
As it doesn't have any anti-inflammatory action, paracetamol is not used for reducing inflammation and swelling in conditions such as arthritis.
Side effects
Side effects are rare with paracetamol when it is taken at the recommended doses. Skin rashes, blood disorders and acute inflammation of the pancreas have occasionally occurred in people taking the drug on a regular basis for a long time. One advantage of paracetamol over aspirin and NSAIDs is that it doesn't irritate the stomach or causing it to bleed, potential Side effects of aspirin and NSAIDs.
WARNING: an overdose of paracetamol causes liver damage that, if not treated quickly, is very dangerous. As little as 10-15g (20- 30 tablets) taken in one go can be fatal. A paracetamol overdose is particularly dangerous because the damage sometimes isn't apparent for 4-6 days after the drug has been taken. So, even if someone who has taken a paracetamol overdose seems fine and doesn't have any symptoms, it is vital that they are taken to hospital urgently. More rarely, paracetamol overdose can also cause severe kidney damage.
Use paracetamol with care if ...
You should use paracetamol with care if you:
know you have poor kidney or liver function
you are an alcoholic (both paracetamol and alcohol can harm the liver)
As with any drug, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding speak to your doctor or pharmacist before taking paracetamol.
Interactions with other medicines
Don't take any other medicines or herbal remedies with paracetamol, including those you have bought without a prescription, before talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
There are no known serious interactions between paracetamol and other drugs, although if you are taking an anticoagulant drug such as warfarin, the dose may need to be adjusted if you take paracetamol frequently.
Also, be aware that lots of cough, cold and flu remedies contain paracetamol. So, it's possible to take more than the recommended daily maximum dose by taking both paracetamol in tablet form and another paracetamol-containing medicine - such as a lemon-flavoured hot drink remedy for colds.
How to use paracetamol
Paracetamol can be taken in tablet, capsule or liquid form, and is also available as suppositories. Paracetamol can be bought without a prescription from pharmacies and (in packs of up to 16 tablets) from other shops. It's vital that you always take it in the doses recommended on the packet. The recommend dose for adults is 500mg to 1000mg every 4-6 hours (one to two standard tablets), up to a maximum of 4000mg (8 tablets) in 24 hours.
Children and paracetamol
The doses for children depend on their age and weight and are clearly given on the medicine's container. On a doctor's advice, it can be given to young babies after vaccinations, but is otherwise not recommended for babies under three months old. Syrups containing paracetamol - such as Calpol - can be easier to take for younger children. The paediatric version of paracetamol syrup contains 120 mg of paracetamol per 5ml (teaspoon). Sugar-free versions are available.
Paracetamol products
Paracetamol is often contained in branded pain relieving products (see list below) and cough and cold remedies. These also often contain other painkillers such as codeine and other ingredients such as caffeine or a decongestant.
Your doctor can also prescribe paracetamol either on its own or in a combination medicine containing another painkiller such as dihydrocodeine or codeine. A preparation called Paradote is also available that contains paracetamol plus an antidote to paracetamol poisoning, methionine.
Some common brands containing paracetamol are:
Paracetamol alone:
Calpol
Disprol
Panadol
In combination with other ingredients:
Beechams products (including powder and capsules)
Boots Cold & Flu Relief Tablets
Benylin Day and Night
Day Nurse
Feminax
Hedex
Lemsip products
Migraleve
Night Nurse
Paracodol
Paramol
Propain
Resolve
Sinutab
Solpadeine
Veganin
Vicks Medinite
Note: In the United States, paracetamol is known as acetaminophen.
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Hammer
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Registered: 11th Feb 04
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Taking any drug, prescription or otherwise, regularly will damage your body, you're putting added strain on organs and making other do things they shouldn't etc.
I personally try and take no paracetemol or anything if it can be avoided.
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BlueCorsa
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Registered: 14th Jan 04
Location: Midlands Drives: MB SLK250 CDI
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I disagree. Regular use at the recommended dose is not dangerous, overdose is extremely dangerous and taking it with excess alcohol can be very dangerous as well as it's metabolised in the liver.
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Matt H
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Registered: 11th Sep 01
Location: South Yorkshire
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quote:
Originally posted by Andrew
get some sleep..
Natural headache cure
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Hammer
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Registered: 11th Feb 04
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quote:
Originally posted by BlueCorsa
I disagree. Regular use at the recommended dose is not dangerous, overdose is extremely dangerous and taking it with excess alcohol can be very dangerous as well as it's metabolised in the liver.
I never stated it was 'dangerous' it is however putting excess strain on your body that is not natural.
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Marc
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Registered: 11th Aug 02
Location: York
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Apparantley they recommend people over 50 take 1 a day. So I can't see them doing you any harm if this is the case.
My Dad and his mate go fell running and his mate takes about 4 before every race  
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Fee
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Registered: 16th Nov 05
Location: With AK
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If you take it regularly over a long period of time though your body will become immune to it so it will have very little effect.
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Kathryn W
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Registered: 12th Oct 03
Location: Widnes, Cheshire
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Have a break from it Andrew the paracetamol will stop taking pain away after a while, as said above your body gets used to it...
Simple example coke... when you first start taking it you dont need much for it to satisfy you, but the more and the regular you take it the more immune you become the more you take  , but thats the same with any drug.
You may be having the headaches due to being tired. Don't rush about so much.. stop working so hard, and spend time worrying about the most important things
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Seany
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Registered: 13th Dec 06
Location: Dunfermline, Fife : Drives Astra cdti Sri
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i just got 300 cocodamol tablets from the docs, coz i keep getting headaches from stress, i take at least 2 almost every night. the doctor said that it was fine aslong as i dont go over the daily amount.
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ed
Member
Registered: 10th Sep 03
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Codomol is pretty good stuff Though I'm supprised you got it just for a headache.
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Seany
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Registered: 13th Dec 06
Location: Dunfermline, Fife : Drives Astra cdti Sri
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me too i was wanting the valium
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ed
Member
Registered: 10th Sep 03
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I got it when I permenantly detached my collar bone from my shoulder. It was so painfull I couldn't even put a jumper on or get out of bed.
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Seany
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Registered: 13th Dec 06
Location: Dunfermline, Fife : Drives Astra cdti Sri
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i did that duznt it bloody hurt. i tried to do a prince nazeem an flip over a railing but due to the litre of voddy i consumed i never let go with my left arm. i swung rite over an dislocated my shoulder. elbow. wrist. broke my shoulder and elbow fractured the upper arm an snapped the muscle from shoulder to elbow. then i had to walk a mile home to get my dad to take me to a+e
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ed
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Registered: 10th Sep 03
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Seany
Member
Registered: 13th Dec 06
Location: Dunfermline, Fife : Drives Astra cdti Sri
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i could touch half way down my shin standin up
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_Allan_
Member
Registered: 24th Mar 04
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quote:
Originally posted by c8rsa!
i did that duznt it bloody hurt. i tried to do a prince nazeem an flip over a railing but due to the litre of voddy i consumed i never let go with my left arm. i swung rite over an dislocated my shoulder. elbow. wrist. broke my shoulder and elbow fractured the upper arm an snapped the muscle from shoulder to elbow. then i had to walk a mile home to get my dad to take me to a+e
PWNED
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