Overdosing - curiosity, not suicidal.
Discussion
So, I've had the common cold the last few days and I've been blindly following the instructions that come with tablets, take 2 every 4-6 hours mostly.
Now, this got me thinking. I really have no idea what would happen if I took more than advised...
Let's say I took 3 (1500mg) of paracetamol rather than the advised dosage of 1000mg, what would happen? Or even 2000mg?
Based on not being allowed to purchase high quantities of these tablets I presume it's non-fatal but I don't know what effect it would actually have. Would you be sick? Feel less pain?
Again, I know this is probably a common question from people who want to kill themselves but I'm really just curious having been taking these and not really understanding what they do....
Ry
Now, this got me thinking. I really have no idea what would happen if I took more than advised...
Let's say I took 3 (1500mg) of paracetamol rather than the advised dosage of 1000mg, what would happen? Or even 2000mg?
Based on not being allowed to purchase high quantities of these tablets I presume it's non-fatal but I don't know what effect it would actually have. Would you be sick? Feel less pain?
Again, I know this is probably a common question from people who want to kill themselves but I'm really just curious having been taking these and not really understanding what they do....
Ry
I don't think they are any more effective at the slightly higher dosage but they will put a strain on your stomach, kidneys and liver.
OD on paracetamol is not a pleasant thing to do. It destroys your internal organs rather than anything else and apparently is a very painful way to go.
That is why the maximum levels are set quite low.
OD on paracetamol is not a pleasant thing to do. It destroys your internal organs rather than anything else and apparently is a very painful way to go.
That is why the maximum levels are set quite low.
The indicated maximum dosage for paracetamol is very much that. If ineffective on its own it is possible to combine paracetamol with ibuprofen or another type of anti inflammatory but please do not ignore the instructions for paracetamol. As others have pointed out it can lead to a very slow and painful death.
Interesting, why does it cause these effects? What's it doing to your body?
I guess it's a pretty opened ended question really as every drug is different. It seemed easy to ask about paracetamol as its common.
I just started wondering as the generic cold and flu tablets I was taking which contained a few things appeared to do sod all.
Ry
I guess it's a pretty opened ended question really as every drug is different. It seemed easy to ask about paracetamol as its common.
I just started wondering as the generic cold and flu tablets I was taking which contained a few things appeared to do sod all.
Ry
bulldog5046 said:
Let's say I took 3 (1500mg) of paracetamol rather than the advised dosage of 1000mg, what would happen? Or even 2000mg?
You'd be fine, unless you're tiny. Here you go:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paracetamol_toxicity
I would say 'knock yourself out', but maybe not, eh?
N Dentressangle said:
You'd be fine, unless you're tiny. Here you go:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paracetamol_toxicity
I would say 'knock yourself out', but maybe not, eh?
Heh! No intention of trying it but a single does of 20 x 500mg tablets is likely to have no effect is surprising!http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paracetamol_toxicity
I would say 'knock yourself out', but maybe not, eh?
I had imagined the effects would be progressive but it appears not unless you poison yourself with the drug...
bulldog5046 said:
Heh! No intention of trying it but a single does of 20 x 500mg tablets is likely to have no effect is surprising!
I had imagined the effects would be progressive but it appears not unless you poison yourself with the drug...
As a rule of thumb, drugs with GSL status and with dosage instructions along the lines of "Adults - take one or two tablets every three or four hours", are going to have a fairly wide therapeutic window.I had imagined the effects would be progressive but it appears not unless you poison yourself with the drug...
In other words, the only way you're going to overdose on them is by deliberately shoving a good few handfuls down your throat.
wiffmaster said:
bulldog5046 said:
Heh! No intention of trying it but a single does of 20 x 500mg tablets is likely to have no effect is surprising!
I had imagined the effects would be progressive but it appears not unless you poison yourself with the drug...
As a rule of thumb, drugs with GSL status and with dosage instructions along the lines of "Adults - take one or two tablets every three or four hours", are going to have a fairly wide therapeutic window.I had imagined the effects would be progressive but it appears not unless you poison yourself with the drug...
In other words, the only way you're going to overdose on them is by deliberately shoving a good few handfuls down your throat.
One of my employees who lives local to me rang saying she thought her husband was dead could I come round. One of those weird things that she ended up ringing me and not someone closer.
He was in a horrible coiled heap at the bottom of the bed eyes bulging and bleeding from ears nose mouth etc.
That was some sort of drug overdose and looked a horribly painful way to have ended things.
He was in a horrible coiled heap at the bottom of the bed eyes bulging and bleeding from ears nose mouth etc.
That was some sort of drug overdose and looked a horribly painful way to have ended things.
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