Exceeding recommended dosage on pain killers

[off_again]

Hi all,

Just been to the dentist and I have been warned that its going to hurt A LOT when the injection wears off in about 3 hours. Anyway, just nipped to Lloyds to stock up on pain killers - got Ibuprofen and Paracetamol so should be fine.

But I know that Paracetamol can be a nightmare if you overdose - like a long and painful death, but whats the deal with Ibuprofen? I have got the 400mg caplets and the Lloyds lady was insistent to no exceed the dosage - which is only 3 tablets in 24 hours (thats 1200mg). That seems rather low to me and I was wondering what the risks are?

Not that I am recommending exceeding the dosage, but I was wondering what the risks are and if this was say 4 tables in 24 hours, would this be a problem. I suspect not, but just checking before I risk things.

Oh, and I am not small, suffer heart problems or have a dicky stomach either....

[N Dentressangle]

Wikipedia said:

Low doses of ibuprofen (200 mg, and sometimes 400 mg) are available over the counter (OTC) in most countries. Ibuprofen has a dose-dependent duration of action of approximately 4–8 hours, which is longer than suggested by its short half-life. The recommended dose varies with body mass and indication. Generally, the oral dose is 200–400 mg (5–10 mg/kg in children) every 4–6 hours, adding up to a usual daily dose of 800–1,200 mg. 1,200 mg is considered the maximum daily dose for over-the-counter use, though under medical direction, the maximum amount of ibuprofen for adults is 800 milligrams per dose or 3200 mg per day (4 maximum doses).

Ibuprofen is quite hard on your stomach - you might want to take Ranitidine or similar with it.

You can take Ibuprofen and Paracetomol together if you wish:
http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/857.aspx?CategoryID=73...

OD on Ibuprofen would be relatively difficult, but not impossible. You'd need more than 100mg per kilo of body weight to kill you. Taking too much probably won't actually help you.

Edited by N Dentressangle on Monday 25th January 13:17

[Arese]

Instant death the moment you take that one extra pill.

[Smart roadster]

Brufen is toxic to kidneys. I have no idea how much of an overdose would fk them up, but I wouldn't recommend it.

You should have gone for codine, paracetamol mix rather than straight paracetamol.

You could try alternating the brufen and paracetamol so that you don't OD on either.

Better still ask a pharmasist.

[AndrewTait]

From what I remember when I was on large doses of Ibruprofen, it is designed to stop you overdosing. The coating on the tablets will make you sick if taken in excessive quantities, thus stopping you from overdosing on it.

[anonymous-user]

You can take 2400mg in 24 hours. Take them soon, as having them in your system before the pain starts also helps.

[off_again]

Arese said:

Instant death the moment you take that one extra pill.

Ha bloody ha....

[davido140]

Smart roadster said:

You should have gone for codine, paracetamol mix rather than straight paracetamol.

Codine is an excellent pain killer. I've aways had to ask specifically for codine/paracetamol, cocodamol?? IIRC.. Never been offered it.

Works wonders.

[macp]

Smart roadster said:

Brufen is toxic to kidneys. I have no idea how much of an overdose would fk them up, but I wouldn't recommend it.

You should have gone for codine, paracetamol mix rather than straight paracetamol.

You could try alternating the brufen and paracetamol so that you don't OD on either.

Better still ask a pharmasist.

I have been there (abcess)so I feel for you and got the same advice as above.It worked up to a point until I had to get something a little stronger via a nurse friend of swmbo.

[louiebaby]

Please just go to a Pharmacy and chat with a Pharmacist, this is what they do for a living, and their advice is free.

Please.

[Smart roadster]

davido140 said:

Smart roadster said:

You should have gone for codine, paracetamol mix rather than straight paracetamol.

Codine is an excellent pain killer. I've aways had to ask specifically for codine/paracetamol, cocodamol?? IIRC.. Never been offered it.

Works wonders.

You can get some codine/paracetamol stuff over the counter but the really good st is prescription only.

I have to say your dentist is a bit st. He told you it would hurt like hell but didn't give you a script so you could get some descent pain killers. Next time you see him kick in the crutch and then let him know a box would have made it hurt a lot less.

[Cooky]

10mg of Oramorph every three hours coupled with a joint or two of Silver Haze between bouts of conciousness should do the trick

[anonymous-user]

What did you have done at the dentists?

[G_T]

davido140 said:

Smart roadster said:

You should have gone for codine, paracetamol mix rather than straight paracetamol.

Codine is an excellent pain killer. I've aways had to ask specifically for codine/paracetamol, cocodamol?? IIRC.. Never been offered it.

Works wonders.

Of course it does. That's because Codeine is metabolised into morphine. Hence it's restricted use because it's addictive and not particularly good for you.

Paracetamol rots your liver, doubly so if you take it with alcohol or you drink a lot. Ibuprofen will savage your guts (but as mentioned you'll probably vomit).

That said a little bit over the recommended dose, of course, probably won't kill you.

I should point out the that the CYP p450 enzyme family (that metabolises all these drugs) is prone to a great deal of variation. So toxicity can and will vary a great deal, hence the recommendation that you don't exceed a certain dose because it could be unpredictable. Particularly if you're already on other medication.

[off_again]

louiebaby said:

Please just go to a Pharmacy and chat with a Pharmacist, this is what they do for a living, and their advice is free.

Please.

I did and the advice I got was Paracetamol and Ibuprofen - nothing else. I explained everything and this is what I got. I was then told that I 'must not exceed the dosage for Ibuprofen' and re-iterated as I left.

Now, for a 6'5" tall bloke who is around 17 stone and in good health who knows its going to bloody hurt in about 2 hours, this was rather odd. Hence the double check as to what the deal is - I know its going to hurt A LOT later and I wondered what my options are before it kicks off.

Just seemed odd that I am allowed to take 3 tablets until this time tomorrow - if they are that potent, why the hell do they sell them? And I had to ask.....

Time to try a different Pharmacy I think.

[G_T]

off_again said:

Now, for a 6'5" tall bloke who is around 17 stone and in good health who knows its going to bloody hurt in about 2 hours, this was rather odd.

I don't understand.

What makes you think that your liver functions differently because you are borderline obese?

You will probably be fine, but no self-respecting clinician would ever recommend exceeding the recommended dose. The results are largely unpredictable.

[davido140]

G_T said:

davido140 said:

Smart roadster said:

You should have gone for codine, paracetamol mix rather than straight paracetamol.

Codine is an excellent pain killer. I've aways had to ask specifically for codine/paracetamol, cocodamol?? IIRC.. Never been offered it.

Works wonders.

Of course it does. That's because Codeine is metabolised into morphine. Hence it's restricted use because it's addictive and not particularly good for you.

Well excuse me for expressing an opinion.

[G_T]

davido140 said:

G_T said:

davido140 said:

Smart roadster said:

You should have gone for codine, paracetamol mix rather than straight paracetamol.

Codine is an excellent pain killer. I've aways had to ask specifically for codine/paracetamol, cocodamol?? IIRC.. Never been offered it.

Works wonders.

Of course it does. That's because Codeine is metabolised into morphine. Hence it's restricted use because it's addictive and not particularly good for you.

Well excuse me for expressing an opinion.

There was no malicious tone intended mate. Sorry for any confusion.

[off_again]

G_T said:

off_again said:

Now, for a 6'5" tall bloke who is around 17 stone and in good health who knows its going to bloody hurt in about 2 hours, this was rather odd.

I don't understand.

What makes you think that your liver functions differently because you are borderline obese?

Ah, the wonderful BMI calculator.

My point is that the digestion, processing and dosage of a drug has some impact on the obvious things that you can see. For example, I am not yellow, underweight or have any other obvious health issues. Clearly they are not going to recommend that I exceed the dosage as that would be odd. But given that there are other options (as mentioned), it seemed unusual to me.

Like I said - time to try a different Pharmacist - this one seems like they are a bit crap.

[davido140]

G_T said:

davido140 said:

G_T said:

davido140 said:

Smart roadster said:

You should have gone for codine, paracetamol mix rather than straight paracetamol.

Codine is an excellent pain killer. I've aways had to ask specifically for codine/paracetamol, cocodamol?? IIRC.. Never been offered it.

Works wonders.

Of course it does. That's because Codeine is metabolised into morphine. Hence it's restricted use because it's addictive and not particularly good for you.

Well excuse me for expressing an opinion.

There was no malicious tone intended mate. Sorry for any confusion.

okey dokey, sorry for getting my handbag out!