Overdose?

[Bayum]

Someone I know, earlier told me they had taken an amount of Ibuprofen... Which I then replied was an overdose... Fair enough, not a large one, but an overdose the same.

They then told me, that they thought because you took 2 paracetamol, you could take two Ibuprofen.

So, my question to you guys, (without any of you looking or cheating) honestly, how much you think the largest dosage of the following is:

Paracetamol
Codeine
Ibuprofen

 

[monkey]

^^depends on how much each tablet contains. if its 200mg, its fine to take 2 ibuprofens (reccomended dosage actually), but if its 400mg its only one (for an adult that is). you can also take ibuprofen and paracetomol togeather without tem affecting each other for extra pain relief....

anyway its most likely 200mg if its off the shelf, so its not an overdose at all really...

 

[Bayum]

^^depends on how much each tablet contains. if its 200mg, its fine to take 2 ibuprofens (reccomended dosage actually), but if its 400mg its only one (for an adult that is). you can also take ibuprofen and paracetomol togeather without tem affecting each other for extra pain relief....

anyway its most likely 200mg if its off the shelf, so its not an overdose at all really...

Yeah, but my question is - how much would you think an overdose would be?

And for the rest of them as well??

 

[monkey]

...if its standard 200mg, then anything above 8 in 24hrs is classed as an overdose I think...

 

[Old Timer]

Medically an overdose is when you exceed the stated amounts.

As has already been pointed out you can take Ibuprofen and Paracetamol products at the same time as they both work in different ways to reduce pain.

drug overdose article

 

[Bayum]

Bleurgh

None of you get what I mean.

I just wanted a dosage, of what you all think were overdoses for the Medicines I gave!!

I know what overdoses are, but I was wondering if you guys knew the correct dosage for them, as they are all relatively easy to obtain!

 

[spoony]

Probably an overdose but I doubt its worse than drinking 6 pints of Fosters. Probably better actually so I wouldn't be too bothered.

 

[me123]

Someone I know, earlier told me they had taken an amount of Ibuprofen... Which I then replied was an overdose... Fair enough, not a large one, but an overdose the same.

They then told me, that they thought because you took 2 paracetamol, you could take two Ibuprofen.

So, my question to you guys, (without any of you looking or cheating) honestly, how much you think the largest dosage of the following is:

Paracetamol
Codeine
Ibuprofen

I think Paracetamol is up to 1000mg at a time, Ibuprofen 400mg at a time. You can take those "maximum" doses and take the same dose again 4-6 hours later, up to 4 doses in any 24 hour period. I couldn't tell you Codeine. This is from my own knowledge, although I do have access to the BNF (British National Formulary) if anyone wants to know the maximum doses from there.

As Old Timer has said, you can mix Paracetamol and Ibuprofen because they're different classes of drug. However, you cannot mix Ibuprofen and Aspirin which are both Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs). Also, be careful if you're on any other painkillers. I know someone who took "over the counter" Ibuprofen alongside a prescription painkiller without realising that they were both NSAIDs.

 

[Old Timer]

Bleurgh

None of you get what I mean.

I just wanted a dosage, of what you all think were overdoses for the Medicines I gave!!

I know what overdoses are, but I was wondering if you guys knew the correct dosage for them, as they are all relatively easy to obtain!

The correct doseage will reflect a variety of things that a Doctor will assess when prescribing, as what would be OK for one person may actually be dangerous for another, for example Co-Codamol which can be prescribed as 10/500 or 30/500. In the one case the higher dose could cause some serious issues.

I suggest that you would be better advised to speak to a Pharmacist or a Doctor rather than ask the question on a Forum as I have no doubt that you will get what is quite plainly wrong (and potentially dangerous) information.

 

[me123]

I suggest that you would be better advised to speak to a Pharmacist or a Doctor rather than ask the question on a Forum as I have no doubt that you will get what is quite plainly wrong (and potentially dangerous) information.

On that serious note, I shall copy information from the BNF (No. 57, which was published in March 2009. Information up to date at time of writing.) Always check instructions on the packet before use, and follow doctor's orders when given.)

Paracetamol: 0.5–1 g every 4–6 hours to a max. of 4 g daily
Ibuprofen: initially 300–400 mg 3–4 times daily; increased if necessary to max. 2.4 g daily
Codeine: 30–60 mg every 4 hours when necessary, to a max. of 240 mg daily

Please remember that Codeine is a regulated, Class B drug, and you require a prescription to obtain it; so it will have doctor's instructions provided.
Always check instructions on the packet before use, and follow doctor's orders when given.
If you think you've OD'd, see a doctor immediately, even if you are asymptomatic.

 

[Bayum]

I take all of them regularly...

So I know what the Doses are... And I also have access to last years and this years BNF's =)

It doesn't matter though...

Like I said, someone made the mistake themselves, I was seeing how many others could have made the mistake...

I didn't want information for myself =/

 

[me123]

So I know what the Doses are... And I also have access to last years and this years BNF's =)

Anyone can create an account with the BNF online and get full information. I merely posted them on here in case someone stumbled across this and thought it was OK to take twenty tablets of paracetamol or something (although I'm glad to note that no-one has posted anything dangerous on here as of yet).

 

[Old Timer]

I take all of them regularly...

So I know what the Doses are... And I also have access to last years and this years BNF's =)

It doesn't matter though...

Like I said, someone made the mistake themselves, I was seeing how many others could have made the mistake...

I didn't want information for myself =/

You cannot make a mistake if you follow the prescription instructions. Also all drugs in the leaflet tell you to check with a Doctor or pharmacist about any other drug you may be taking. Some specifiy particular drugs that are not compatible.

Somewhat confused by your post but I am sure it makes sense when you have all the information.

 

[Bayum]

Yeahhh

I gots the books though =)

Peadiatric and Adult =D

 

[Tom B]

So, my question to you guys, (without any of you looking or cheating) honestly, how much you think the largest dosage of the following is:

Surely it's not expected for an average person to know this sort of thing?

If you are taking a medication, it says on the sticker how much you should take - and you take that. Simple!

(I did, however, like the Tescos self checkout which threw a mardy because I bought a box of paracetamol. "Only 2 boxes may be purchased per transaction", it said. Erm, yes, lovely, but I'm buying one...).

 

[Bayum]

Yeah, but then again - many people may take a strip of paracetamol with them, or a strip of ibuprofen, and not take the whole box.

Then what??

 

[Tom B]

Yeah, but then again - many people may take a strip of paracetamol with them, or a strip of ibuprofen, and not take the whole box.

Then what??

Then they ought to remember how much it said on the box. And if they don't, they're prats!

 

[me123]

Most people (in my experience) say they can take 2 every 6 hours.

This is fundamentally dangerous. Fair enough if your tablets are 200mg Ibuprofen (in which case 2 is perfectly safe), but if the tablets are 400mg Ibuprofen, you're then taking double the "maximum" dose which is potentially quite dangerous. Supermarkets and pharmacies sell both 200mg and 400mg tablets over the counter with no problem whatsoever, so the "one size fits all" approach isn't sensible or safe.

As Tom's said, there is no substitute for reading the pack.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

(I did, however, like the Tescos self checkout which threw a mardy because I bought a box of paracetamol. "Only 2 boxes may be purchased per transaction", it said. Erm, yes, lovely, but I'm buying one...).

I don't really understand that one at all, although it is a legal requirement throughout the UK.

I cannot buy 3 packets of 8 tablets 200mg Ibuprofen (which is, in total, 4.5g Ibuprofen) but I can buy one pack of 16 tablets 400mg Ibuprofen (which is, in total, 6.4g of Ibuprofen).

 

[JustinStacey.x]

It was me.

I took 800MG of Ibuprofen instead of taking 400 like I should have done. My mum's a nurse, I phoned her afterwards with hindsight just to make sure I wasn't going to do any significant damage to myself and the first thing she said on the phone colloquially was 'oops' followed by a 'you won't do yourself any significant damage but don't do it again'. I took that much because it was two tablets (each 400MG) and they were out of the box so there was no dosage I had to follow. I used what I thought was common sense and was out by a little bit, but clearly not enough to bugger me up, as I'm still here now.

A little 'drama'... methinks... and I want to speak to you Bayum later on MSN 'bout something that's been bugging me for a bit.

 

[Broken Viking]

^ - Ohhh...Hope that ye do turn out OK after that, Justin! If I were ye though, I'd have a word with thy local GP or Pharmacist, just to get a second opinion and be on the safe side. 8)

And just to put in 2p worth of what I've heard recently:
Although this is purely hearsay from a friend (And I cannot substantiate it in any way) apparently, Ibuprofen contains very slight quantities of Cocaine! hock:

Thankfully there's so little in there that it won't be enough to show up in a Blood or urine test (So it's of no concern to railway employees) and the truly miniscule quantity makes it pointless for anyone hoping to extract the drug from the compound (They'd probabally need about 10t of Ibuprofen to make a "line")...But it's the possible presence of that substance in over the counter medicine that shocks me quite a bit! hock:

Can anyone with medical knowlege and/or a BNF guide confirm or deny this bit of info? Again it's only hearsay, but I'd be curious to confirm/deny it all the same! 8)

 

[JustinStacey.x]

I'm fine. I was ill the last two days (nothing to do with the ibuprofen, I took it BECAUSE I was feeling ill), but I am back in work now, I ain't dead, and I am even aware that 800MG doses can be given to people in certain circumstances so it can hardly be that bad. It was also the only dosage I took that day. I wasn't trying to commit suicide! Can we just stop the sodding drama please -_-

 

[Broken Viking]

I wasn't trying to commit suicide! Can we just stop the sodding drama please -_-

No drama intended there mate...I was just hoping that ye were OK after accidentally taking that overdose. 8)

 

[JustinStacey.x]

I'm talking about the thread. I appreciate the concern, Death, but it's not the end of the world.

 

[Daniel]

Although this is purely hearsay from a friend (And I cannot substantiate it in any way) apparently, Ibuprofen contains very slight quantities of Cocaine! hock:

I'm not sure about Ibruprofen, but I doubt it, as I am allowed to take it whilst being classed as safety critical.

I do know that Co-Codimol shows up as cocaine on a drugs test, so I can't take that! (In actual fact, theres a long list of stuff I can't take because im safety-crit, including anything with 'co-' in it).

 

[Bayum]

It was me.

I took 800MG of Ibuprofen instead of taking 400 like I should have done. My mum's a nurse, I phoned her afterwards with hindsight just to make sure I wasn't going to do any significant damage to myself and the first thing she said on the phone colloquially was 'oops' followed by a 'you won't do yourself any significant damage but don't do it again'. I took that much because it was two tablets (each 400MG) and they were out of the box so there was no dosage I had to follow. I used what I thought was common sense and was out by a little bit, but clearly not enough to bugger me up, as I'm still here now.

A little 'drama'... methinks... and I want to speak to you Bayum later on MSN 'bout something that's been bugging me for a bit.

Come on... it wasn't like I was doing it maliciously...

I generally wanted to know how many other people would make the same mistake. Just everyone kept reading it the wrong way... So, I guess I wrote it the wrong way... But fine... Just catch me when you can, I'm babysitting for the next 4 days =/

 

[JustinStacey.x]

Come on... it wasn't like I was doing it maliciously...

I still don't think there was the need to post a whole thread about it!

 

[Dai.]

In 24 hours you should not take more than:

8 Paracetamol

OR

6 Ibuprofens

OR

4 Codeine Tablets

If you fear you have overdosed inform a medical professional immediately

(not sure about the Codeine tablets and it may vary between MG dosages, please read the back of the packaging on the tablets)

 

[me123]

In 24 hours you should not take more than:

8 Paracetamol (500mg tablets)

OR

6 Ibuprofens (400mg tablets)

OR

4 Codeine Tablets (60mg tablets)

If you fear you have overdosed inform a medical professional immediately

(not sure about the Codeine tablets and it may vary between MG dosages, please read the back of the packaging on the tablets)

I've included the doses of the tablets in the quote above.

If you take 8 1000mg (1g) paracetamol tablets in a day, you've had double the daily dose of paracetamol, and 1000mg tablet are readily available over the counter.

As Codeine is not available over the counter (It's a Class B drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971), you should have instructions from you doctor anyway.

 

[Dai.]

I've included the doses of the tablets in the quote above.

If you take 8 1000mg (1g) paracetamol tablets in a day, you've had double the daily dose of paracetamol, and 1000mg tablet are readily available over the counter.

I didn't jump into answering the question and I had the post reply up for a while so apologies for copying the post and I've also mentioned that you should read the back of packets.

 

[43034 The Black Horse]

I don't get the point of this thread. If any person wanted to know how much to take then just read the bloomin' box!