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Ibuprofen/Paracetamo l

(123 Posts)
Slimswim Fri 29-May-26 15:59:50

Recently returned from the USA where we were able to purchase a tub of 500 of each of these. I appreciate we live in a different country but over here we can only buy 2 x 16 tablets at a time. Don’t know if it’s true but we were told it’s to prevent people from taking an overdose. Surely if someone is that desperate they will just go around different stores to purchase more.

Aldom Sat 30-May-26 13:15:00

People who have any kidney related problems should not take Ibuprofen.

NonnaW Sat 30-May-26 13:15:18

Did anyone see the Tonight programme on ITV about people being addicted to over the counter medication? Very thought provoking.

MT62 Sat 30-May-26 14:11:31

I agree twaddle. They seem to go from doctor to doctor getting different prescriptions.
They can also buy loads of meds like antibiotics creams, sleep aids & yes huge bottles of pain meds off the shelf, not the addictive meds though.

cc Sat 30-May-26 14:14:54

62Granny

You can by 84 ibuprofen in Boots or any Pharmacy and the high strength 400mg . They used have to alert the pharmacist but I don't think it happens now.

The supermarket pharmacists wouldn't even let me buy two bottles of cold and flu medication last time I needed it. We both had flu coming on and one bottle simply wasn't enough.

MT62 Sat 30-May-26 14:17:16

Wheniwasyourage

If you overdose on purpose (or by accident) with paracetamol it takes several days for your liver to pack up. How many people have regretted it before they finally die? sad

frightening!
I can take two & think did I take those two tablets, then have to wait 4/6 hrs to take some more 🤦‍♀️ now I write it down when I’ve taken some.
I have also put a timer on my phone for my next dose.

MT62 Sat 30-May-26 14:25:48

I absolutely know what co codamol contains & how dangerously addictive it can be.
I am taking one of each at the moment trying to reduce the codeine as it’s starting to make me confused.
So instead of two 30mg/500, I am have been taking 1 30mg/500 & one paracetamol which Gp prescriber has told me to do.
Will keep reducing it down until I am just on paracetamol.
& really I appreciate your advice & concern twaddle 🙏

MT62 Sat 30-May-26 14:27:36

Luckygirl3

Indeed. If you are taking both you need to check very carefully the next allowed dose of paracetamol look at how much is in the cocodamol and do the maths so that your total daily intake of paracetamol is within the limit.
Preferably don't do it at all!!
I watched a teenage lad surface from a paracetamol overdose and regret his action ... and then dies slowly and painfully from liver failure over the next few days.
Not to be forgotten ...

Absolutely 🙏

MT62 Sat 30-May-26 14:29:43

Hopefully when I get my knees done, I can get off the flipping meds 😩

crazyH Sat 30-May-26 14:31:02

My go-to painkiller is Voltarol 75mg SR. - one tablet and I’m painfree for days. Very rarely prescribed I believe, but I get it from Spain. I am very careful how I use it.

twaddle Sat 30-May-26 15:56:04

MT62

I absolutely know what co codamol contains & how dangerously addictive it can be.
I am taking one of each at the moment trying to reduce the codeine as it’s starting to make me confused.
So instead of two 30mg/500, I am have been taking 1 30mg/500 & one paracetamol which Gp prescriber has told me to do.
Will keep reducing it down until I am just on paracetamol.
& really I appreciate your advice & concern twaddle 🙏

Sorry to sound preachy. flowers

I don't understand why your GP doesn't change the prescription to 2x15/500 co-codamol, which would be easier to remember. It's the same as 1x30/500 + 1x500 paracetamol.

twaddle Sat 30-May-26 15:59:47

Aldom

People who have any kidney related problems should not take Ibuprofen.

People who have had a heart attack and some other forms of heart diseases should also avoid ibuprofen.

keepingquiet Sat 30-May-26 16:02:40

I don't know why your GP doesn't take you off Co-Codamol all together. I don't take it even if prescribed.
Paracetomol is a prefectly safe and effective pain killer when taken correctly and is very cheap to buy, you don't need it on prescription.
If paracetomol isn't working and you still have pain then ask for a referral to a pain clinic where you may get more target treatment.

MT62 Sat 30-May-26 16:06:04

crazyH

My go-to painkiller is Voltarol 75mg SR. - one tablet and I’m painfree for days. Very rarely prescribed I believe, but I get it from Spain. I am very careful how I use it.

I was on those but suppositories
Not good for heart or kidneys

twaddle Sat 30-May-26 16:06:05

Co-codamol is more effective than paracetamol on its own.

I take co-dydramol (which is similar, but a different amount of codeine) and I can vouch for its effectiveness. It's also safer taken at the dose and frequency I have than taking enough paracetamol to deal with the pain.

twaddle Sat 30-May-26 16:07:40

MT62

crazyH

My go-to painkiller is Voltarol 75mg SR. - one tablet and I’m painfree for days. Very rarely prescribed I believe, but I get it from Spain. I am very careful how I use it.

I was on those but suppositories
Not good for heart or kidneys

It's a NSAID, so anybody who has been warned against ibuprofen or aspirin should double check that it's safe.

Astitchintime Sat 30-May-26 16:08:11

Seemingly, it varies amongst individuals as to what would be an overdose …….. I had a patient die from taking just 8 paracetamol some years ago. That in itself makes a farce of the single pack purchase controls.

MT62 Sat 30-May-26 16:10:00

They told me I could buy eights, no mention of 15mg. Shall ask though. Thanks.

MT62 Sat 30-May-26 16:10:28

MT62

They told me I could buy eights, no mention of 15mg. Shall ask though. Thanks.

Twaddle

twaddle Sat 30-May-26 17:15:02

MT62

They told me I could buy eights, no mention of 15mg. Shall ask though. Thanks.

You can buy 8/500 OTT from a pharmacist, but not 15/500. Your GP would have to prescribe 15/500, but presumably you have 30/500 prescribed, so the prescription could be changed very easily.

twaddle Sat 30-May-26 17:16:12

Astitchintime

Seemingly, it varies amongst individuals as to what would be an overdose …….. I had a patient die from taking just 8 paracetamol some years ago. That in itself makes a farce of the single pack purchase controls.

The alternative would be to make paracetamol prescription only, which really would seem ridiculous.

Macaydia Sat 30-May-26 17:36:18

In the US, people use a gun or fentanyl for suicide if they dont live in an area where a doctor can assist. They would never consider ibuprofen or paracetemol. Those are for headaches, fever or a toothache.

In Canada, they have stronger pain medicines but they have the MAID program for ending ones life.

keepingquiet Sat 30-May-26 21:07:26

twaddle

Co-codamol is more effective than paracetamol on its own.

I take co-dydramol (which is similar, but a different amount of codeine) and I can vouch for its effectiveness. It's also safer taken at the dose and frequency I have than taking enough paracetamol to deal with the pain.

Sorry, I thought the thread was about Paracetomol/Ibuprofen.

MT62 Sat 30-May-26 21:21:29

Astitchintime

Seemingly, it varies amongst individuals as to what would be an overdose …….. I had a patient die from taking just 8 paracetamol some years ago. That in itself makes a farce of the single pack purchase controls.

Is that because they haven’t been spaced out, or have they taken all 8 together?

MT62 Sat 30-May-26 21:24:18

I am on these weight loss injections & aware because food travels so slowly through the gut, that I worry that if I take a dose of paracetamol, then two more 4/6 hrs later is the previous dose still hovering in my stomach?

twaddle Sat 30-May-26 21:38:10

keepingquiet

twaddle

Co-codamol is more effective than paracetamol on its own.

I take co-dydramol (which is similar, but a different amount of codeine) and I can vouch for its effectiveness. It's also safer taken at the dose and frequency I have than taking enough paracetamol to deal with the pain.

Sorry, I thought the thread was about Paracetomol/Ibuprofen.

Co-codamol and co-dydramol contain paracetamol. They're relevant because if people take either of them, they shouldn't take paracetamol.