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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is It Safe To Take Paracetamol For Long?

Hi, I have had a cold and cough for around 3 weeks, I have been taking about 2 paracetemol (lemsip max) doses a day in the 2nd week of the cold I layed off the paracetemol for a bit, but I was still taking it, just irregularly I guess. Is it okay to be taking it for this long. I stick to the dosage guidelines and only really have 2 a day. Thank you.
posted on Fri, 14 Mar 2014
Twitter Tue, 20 May 2014 Answered on
Twitter Tue, 20 May 2014 Last reviewed on
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Dentist, Periodontics,  's  Response
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service.

I have reviewed your query and here is my advice. Paracetamol as such is not a drug of choice in cold since it is viral infection. Coming to your doubt paracetamol cannot be taken for longer duration as it results in liver damage due to bio-degradation in liver.

Cold and cough usually lasts for 14 to 21 days and there is nothing to bother about it. Have nice steam inhalation and warm saline gargling and avoid cold liquids. Finally, drugs used for cold are antihistamines.

Hope i have clarified your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. K S V Ramesh
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Is It Safe To Take Paracetamol For Long?

Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice. Paracetamol as such is not a drug of choice in cold since it is viral infection. Coming to your doubt paracetamol cannot be taken for longer duration as it results in liver damage due to bio-degradation in liver. Cold and cough usually lasts for 14 to 21 days and there is nothing to bother about it. Have nice steam inhalation and warm saline gargling and avoid cold liquids. Finally, drugs used for cold are antihistamines. Hope i have clarified your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. K S V Ramesh