Paracetamol

You can buy cocodamol or solpadeine over the counter at chemist. The pharmacist would be able to answer your questions. I know codeine can lead to constipation and also a bit addictive. I only take when I have a really bad headache.

Tbis post has been of interest to me as I had a fall 18 days ago and on DD's advice was taking both paracetamol and ibrufen for inflamation and pain. However after the first week the pain was still pretty bad so spoke to doctor who gave me a prescription for codeine to help it. All this doesn't seem to be upsetting my system in any way but am still in quite a bit of pain. All my "advisors" are telling me it is a cracked rib but will be phoning doctor again to see if I should continue to use codeine as I need an prescription so will see what she says. The pain is very localised now and I do think I have damaged my rib. Grrrrrrrr - feeling pretty low without all this!

If you don’t take omeprazole with ibuprofen if you take it long term you can get stomach ulcers.

Travelsafar perhaps for the bleeding risk? Possibly increased for the over 65s.

I don't know about over 65 but I was advised not to take it as I have a snall stomach ulcer that comes and goes. ibuprofen is believed to aggravate stomach complaints.

I take paracetamol along with prescribed painkillers and it is safe to do so. I actually prefer Ibuprofen which were recommended by hospital consultant for arthritic pain, but my Gp says not to take as they are dangerous once you are over 65. Anyone else been told this??

I have professional experience of someone overdosing on this and being glad that they were resuscitated - only to die slowly and miserably from liver disease. It is a very effective drug at the right dosage - but very dangerous in overdose - and not even a big overdose. I do not think people realise this, as it can be bought for so little everywhere.

Paracetamol is not known to cause drowsiness??
You’re right Poppyred. It doesn’t.

Easy enough to google paracetamol OP but if you want to know what it does, here you are
Paracetamol, also known as acetaminophen and APAP, is a medication used to treat pain and fever. It is typically used for mild to moderate pain relief. Evidence is mixed for its use to relieve fever in children. It is often sold in combination with other medications, such as in many cold medications

Overdosing can (does) cause liver damage which is often irreparable and a very unpleasant way to commit suicide.

Paracetamol is not known to cause drowsiness??

Paracetamol never did anything for me until I got old, when it miraculously worked, especially if taken with Ibuprofen.
I avoid Ibuprofen because it upsets my stomach, even though I always take Omeprazole at the same time.
I’ve got bad toothache now and trying to last until bedtime when I’ll take one of each.

I agree Maybe70, I didn’t take anything to bring down fever when I was ill, as I wanted my body to ‘do its thing’ and fight it without any hindrance.

And it isn't quite as important to take it with food whereas it's really dangerous to take ibuprofen on an empty stomach.

If you're using paracetamol for pain relief, it's best to take it before the pain gets really bad. If you wait until you're in agony with something, it won't work as well.

I agree with MiniMoon, it's only dangerous if you take more than the recommended dose.

Paracetamol reduces fever but fever is there to fight infection. So shouldn't be taken [in adults] if one catches covid19, unless the temperature gets dangerously high. If someone has taken paracetamol and has to go to hospital the medics will get a false temperature reading. Also if temperature scanners are used to detect covid in airports, shops etc infected people will not be picked up.

When I had my hip done I was given paracetamol and ibuprofen together four hourly! Helped with the pain, but sometimes I asked for extra relief at night and was given morphine. My understanding is that ibuprofen is for inflammation and that paracetamol helps with bone pain. Using quite a lot of paracetamol at the moment as tripped 2 weeks ago and now have a broken wrist.

I ran out of paracetamol last weekend and on Monday went to the pharmacy to buy some more. I bought the last lot there, no problems, but this time they said you have to get a doctor's prescription for it.
After that went to the small Tesco near us and they had some.
Strange.

I took paracetamol as my only pain relief after my last knee replacement. I found it worked very well. I did take the max daily dose and stopped altogether as soon as possible. It seems to work well on soft tissue pain.

Paracetamol is a very safe drug. It's only dangerous if you take more than 8 in 24 hours. An overdose damages the liver.
A friend of mine has a brother who decided to take his own life, he took a huge overdose of paracetamol and then regretted his decision. He had to have a liver transplant.
I have to say I dont take it very often as it doesn't work well for me. I prefer ibuprofen.

I'm very wary of Paracetamol. I thought I heard it was dangerous for kidneys and such. I only ever take Ibuprofen, but try to limit it as I have a sensitive digestive system.

However, as a couple of people have already said, if you're not used to it, it can be quite effective. I borrowed some from my DiL once, when I was staying with them, and they got rid of the headache quickly.

I can't take the prescription only co-codomol. It sends me to sleep for about 4 hours at a time, I can't keep my eyes open, ibuprofen makes me sick , paracetamol works. my DH takes ibuprofen as it works for him as does co-codomol and he stays awake! I think it is very much an individual thing as to whether painkillers work ( or not).

I know in hospital paracetamol seems to be given routinely at night to help people sleep. I started doing it myself till the shortage caused by Covid. I don't intend to restart now. It's cheap and doesn't cause the stomach upset caused by Ibuprofen but it hasn't got anti inflammatory properties.

It is a known fact that paracetamol works for some people more effectively than others.

If you're not accustomed to taking painkillers then it'll work but if you take painkillers on a regular basis the body gets immune to them and they won't work as efficiently, if at all.

Last week I had a bit of a dull headache ( sinus usually ) and because I hadn't taken paracetamol since December/January,I took 2 and the headache was gone within the hour, so I'd say yes, they do work.

How strange, it doesn't even make me drowsy and certainly has no pain relieving effects on my back.