Gransnet forums

Health

Paracetamol

(118 Posts)

GNHQ have commented on this thread. Read here.

Stansgran Tue 14-Feb-23 07:29:00

The orthopaedic surgeon has told me to take six paracetamol a day. I don’t suppose I’m alone in this as my back is disintegrating. My question is how do I buy that many ? I don’t go shopping much more . If they will only allow two packs how do other people manage? A friend who has carers in gets them to buy for her but she has moved on to morphine.

Riverwalk Tue 14-Feb-23 07:32:08

Speak to your GP - they can prescribe larger .amounts.

cornergran Tue 14-Feb-23 07:40:53

I yes, speak to your GP. I know they are discouraged from prescribing paracetamol for sound reasons, however for a medical reason it is certainly possible. I have a regular prescription for the maximum dose which I need daily for a similar reason to you stansgran. One GP commented ‘it isn’t people like you who abuse either the system or the medication’.

Wyllow3 Tue 14-Feb-23 07:41:23

Yes, I've checked on NHS web site, GP's can prescribe if its regular and long term.

Blondiescot Tue 14-Feb-23 07:46:20

My FiL is on the maximum daily dose and gets large boxes prescribed by his GP.

BladeAnnie Tue 14-Feb-23 07:49:21

Yes I take the maximum daily dose and get it on prescription so do speak to your GP

Norah Tue 14-Feb-23 07:54:32

Prior to knee surgery I was on maximum dose. Stern lecture about never taking even one extra dose. Then, GP prescription.

dogsmother Tue 14-Feb-23 07:57:39

I buy it for the arthritis I have in all areas. I don’t need it daily but when I do it really, really helps. Also it’s very inexpensive without prescription. So I keep a supply in by getting it at every opportunity.

Stansgran Tue 14-Feb-23 07:58:40

Thanks for this . I had no idea the gp would do this. The next challenge is speaking to a gp! They are so keen to label me diabetic etc but to see our gp is a major challenge. grin

Georgesgran Tue 14-Feb-23 08:08:06

I’m quite lucky as my local retail park has Boots, Wilko, M&S, Lidl, George, Sainsbury’s and a couple of discount stores - so it would be simple for me to get a couple of boxes in each store. I can, however, appreciate the OP’s situation, if she doesn’t go out much.

V3ra Tue 14-Feb-23 08:13:00

If this is a recent decision by the orthopaedic surgeon I would expect them to have written a letter to your GP saying so, and asking them to prescribe the paracetamol for you.

I'd suggest you phone the surgery and explain to the receptionist that you need to request a prescription and tell them why.

choughdancer Tue 14-Feb-23 08:14:48

I hope your GP can sort it out, but if you do end up needing to buy them, try 247ukchemist on eBay. I had a broken hip last year and like you couldn't keep going out to buy it although I was on 3 maximum doses a day. Before they sent it, they asked me this:

'Please confirm the person using this product, is familiar with their condition, the correct use of the product, will follow the patient information leaflet and any important advice provided in the listing, is of the correct age to use this product(s), not allergic to any of the ingredients, is not pregnant or breastfeeding and will consult a health professional if their condition does not improve or gets worse.'

I explained my situation and then they were okay about sending them in larger quantities.

M0nica Tue 14-Feb-23 08:37:31

You can have the six huge packs DH has in a drawer. He has them prescribed and does need them, but not as often as prescribed. I keep telling him not to order them for a couple of months, but he keeps forgetting, grrr

LOUISA1523 Tue 14-Feb-23 08:50:50

I had 100 prescribed

Calendargirl Tue 14-Feb-23 09:09:39

M0nica

You can have the six huge packs DH has in a drawer. He has them prescribed and does need them, but not as often as prescribed. I keep telling him not to order them for a couple of months, but he keeps forgetting, grrr

Hmm, that’s not good is it?

That’s how stockpiling of medicines happen.

Oldbat1 Tue 14-Feb-23 09:10:18

This may or may not be of help. Weldricks is an online chemist. You can order up to 100 paracetamol tablets at once. They are very efficient. Really I think your GP should prescribe for you but our surgery issued a long list of items they no longer will prescribe. Good luck.

Poppyred Tue 14-Feb-23 09:18:21

Prescribing paracetamol is costing the NHS a fortune. Also the prescribed ones are the size of small plates! You are allowed to buy two packs at a time which equals 32.
Surely you can buy from chemists online?

Dickens Tue 14-Feb-23 09:18:47

My GP told me that if you've been prescribed Paracetamol in doses that make purchasing OTC impractical - they will put them on prescription for you.

This is standard practise.

Charleygirl5 Tue 14-Feb-23 09:22:03

Please do not take Paracetamol on an empty stomach. You do not want to be adding stomach ulcers to your list of complaints. It would not happen overnight but it is something to keep in mind.

Poppyred Tue 14-Feb-23 09:50:02

Charleygirl5

Please do not take Paracetamol on an empty stomach. You do not want to be adding stomach ulcers to your list of complaints. It would not happen overnight but it is something to keep in mind.

Aspirin and Ibuprofen can cause stomach ulcers - not Paracetamol.

annodomini Tue 14-Feb-23 09:56:59

I buy Paracetamol from the cheaper supermarkets, for 29p for a pack of 16 and I can only buy two packs at a time. I asked my GP not to prescribe paracetamol because the pharmacy would charge the practice far more than I would pay for the tablets in Aldi. I use it for pain relief as I cannot tolerate opiods/opiates and anti-inflammatories are also forbidden.

growstuff Tue 14-Feb-23 10:02:37

Poppyred

Prescribing paracetamol is costing the NHS a fortune. Also the prescribed ones are the size of small plates! You are allowed to buy two packs at a time which equals 32.
Surely you can buy from chemists online?

32 is only four days supply for somebody who needs to take the maximum dose.

growstuff Tue 14-Feb-23 10:04:13

Dickens

My GP told me that if you've been prescribed Paracetamol in doses that make purchasing OTC impractical - they will put them on prescription for you.

This is standard practise.

And if you need something a bit stronger, don't take more than the prescribed dose. The GP will prescribe co-dydramol, which has added codeine.

Marilla Tue 14-Feb-23 10:09:51

Do Grans taking the GP/ Consultant prescribed doses of Paracetamol find them effective with back pain?

Fleurpepper Tue 14-Feb-23 10:18:24

annodomini

I buy Paracetamol from the cheaper supermarkets, for 29p for a pack of 16 and I can only buy two packs at a time. I asked my GP not to prescribe paracetamol because the pharmacy would charge the practice far more than I would pay for the tablets in Aldi. I use it for pain relief as I cannot tolerate opiods/opiates and anti-inflammatories are also forbidden.

Bravo. I ask my ACs to buy 2 packs whenever they are in supermarket, Wilkos, chemist's etc- and I do the same.