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I Have A Question About Acetaminophen . Ive Been Taking
Question: I have a question about acetaminophen.
Ive been taking between 650mg to 975 mg of acetaminophen per day for several years for back pain.
I have always been paranoid about taking it because of its risks but my doctor assured me many times that taking under 1000mg per day in a divided dose is safe.
I can't take NSAID's.
Anyway,
I got the flu on tuesday this week on the 25th.
While in bed aching through it I realized in the morning that I
took it in a lowered but stagered dose to try and not take large amounts at once, which seemed at the time as a safer way.
I only did this for this 24 hour period and then returned to my normal dosing of stick to under 1000mg divided dose per day.
I wrote down my dosage on the counter so I have it re-written below.
9/25 - 5:00am 650mg(normal daily)
I started getting achy at around 3:00pm
6:30pm - I took 650mg
6 hours later at
1:00am in the morning
i took 325mg
3:00am 162.5mg
4:30am 162.5mg
7:30am 325mg
at 11:30am 162.5mg
2:00pm 162.5mg
4:00pm 162.5mg
I did this to try not to take a lot but noticed later on paper that I took around 2200mg in 24 hours.
The achiness was tolerable by dinner time so that was the only time period that I took it like that.
the following day I took 650mg at 8:00am in the morning and a 325mg at 1:00pm
I discussed it with my pharmacist and they just said
"you'll be fine, no more than 4000mg in a 24 hour period."
I actually had labs done last month and everything was normal.
Anyway, I'm just concerened.
it's been 2 days since I did that.
Ive been taking between 650mg to 975 mg of acetaminophen per day for several years for back pain.
I have always been paranoid about taking it because of its risks but my doctor assured me many times that taking under 1000mg per day in a divided dose is safe.
I can't take NSAID's.
Anyway,
I got the flu on tuesday this week on the 25th.
While in bed aching through it I realized in the morning that I
took it in a lowered but stagered dose to try and not take large amounts at once, which seemed at the time as a safer way.
I only did this for this 24 hour period and then returned to my normal dosing of stick to under 1000mg divided dose per day.
I wrote down my dosage on the counter so I have it re-written below.
9/25 - 5:00am 650mg(normal daily)
I started getting achy at around 3:00pm
6:30pm - I took 650mg
6 hours later at
1:00am in the morning
i took 325mg
3:00am 162.5mg
4:30am 162.5mg
7:30am 325mg
at 11:30am 162.5mg
2:00pm 162.5mg
4:00pm 162.5mg
I did this to try not to take a lot but noticed later on paper that I took around 2200mg in 24 hours.
The achiness was tolerable by dinner time so that was the only time period that I took it like that.
the following day I took 650mg at 8:00am in the morning and a 325mg at 1:00pm
I discussed it with my pharmacist and they just said
"you'll be fine, no more than 4000mg in a 24 hour period."
I actually had labs done last month and everything was normal.
Anyway, I'm just concerened.
it's been 2 days since I did that.
Brief Answer:
no concerns
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
thanks for using the 'Ask a Doctor' service again!
Your pharmacist was right. If you consume less than 4000mg per day then there is no problem provided that you take it in divided doses (like you did). Actually depending on your body weight and other (less predictable factors) you may take much more than that and still be safe but this is definitely not recommended. The maximum daily dosage should be 500mg every 3-4 hours or 1000mg every 6-8 hours.
I hope I've alleviated your concerns! Please let me know if you need further assistance.
Kind Regards!
no concerns
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
thanks for using the 'Ask a Doctor' service again!
Your pharmacist was right. If you consume less than 4000mg per day then there is no problem provided that you take it in divided doses (like you did). Actually depending on your body weight and other (less predictable factors) you may take much more than that and still be safe but this is definitely not recommended. The maximum daily dosage should be 500mg every 3-4 hours or 1000mg every 6-8 hours.
I hope I've alleviated your concerns! Please let me know if you need further assistance.
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
i weigh 200lbs so thats my weight.
I would have been less concerned if I hadn't been up for 24 hours. I just couldn't sleep I was so uncomfortable.
after looking at my dose sheet, I didn't know what the idiosyncrasies of taking very small doses at shorter intervals until reaching 650mg was vs taking 650 all at once?
I'll just stick to the directions from now on.
I continued back on my my meds? I take nexium, lisinopril and norco.
I take 650mg to XXXXXXX of 975mg of acetaminophen in the norco in a divided dose daily.
thanks for responding.
I would have been less concerned if I hadn't been up for 24 hours. I just couldn't sleep I was so uncomfortable.
after looking at my dose sheet, I didn't know what the idiosyncrasies of taking very small doses at shorter intervals until reaching 650mg was vs taking 650 all at once?
I'll just stick to the directions from now on.
I continued back on my my meds? I take nexium, lisinopril and norco.
I take 650mg to XXXXXXX of 975mg of acetaminophen in the norco in a divided dose daily.
thanks for responding.
Brief Answer:
you can continue your regular medications
Detailed Answer:
Assuming that you won't take more paracetamol norco and the rest of your regular treatment can be resumed. If you have to take additional paracetamol then you can keep it within the doses I've mentioned in my previous answer. A body weight like yours allows for even more paracetamol to be consumed with safety but please keep in mind that consuming more than 4000mg per day is not recommended regardless of the body weight...
Kind Regards!
you can continue your regular medications
Detailed Answer:
Assuming that you won't take more paracetamol norco and the rest of your regular treatment can be resumed. If you have to take additional paracetamol then you can keep it within the doses I've mentioned in my previous answer. A body weight like yours allows for even more paracetamol to be consumed with safety but please keep in mind that consuming more than 4000mg per day is not recommended regardless of the body weight...
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I totally understand. Won’t happen again. I only took 650mg today and won’t dose until tomorrow.
To be honest, I don’t even want to exceed 1000mg per day.
Thanks again
To be honest, I don’t even want to exceed 1000mg per day.
Thanks again
Brief Answer:
you're welcome
Detailed Answer:
You're welcome!
Just be more careful next time, as paracetamol can be 'hidden' in various formulations like in norco. There are many combinations with opioids, drugs for respiratory tract infections, muscular pain, etc. It's easier to exceed the safe dosage limit if you don't realize that you're taking paracetamol!
Kind Regards!
you're welcome
Detailed Answer:
You're welcome!
Just be more careful next time, as paracetamol can be 'hidden' in various formulations like in norco. There are many combinations with opioids, drugs for respiratory tract infections, muscular pain, etc. It's easier to exceed the safe dosage limit if you don't realize that you're taking paracetamol!
Kind Regards!
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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