There is only one medicine that the British public wants to take for minor ailments and apparently they are making one huge mistake.
Dr. Donald Grant Independent Pharmacy British people are being warned to use caution when using common medicines.
Doctors say that if you don’t practice safe usage, it can be counterproductive.
of University of Oxford Just under 6,300 tonnes of these tablets are sold in the UK each year, which equates to 35 tonnes per million people, or 70 tablets per person.
Britons take 70 doses of the drug each year. Getty Stock Photo
Those tablets? They’re paracetamol.
Dr Grant wants people to know that it can pose “significant risks” to their health.
he Said The Sun: “Taking too much paracetamol or using the drug when it is not needed can pose serious risks to our physical health, both in the short and long term.”
“It’s important to understand the risks associated with paracetamol and only take it when necessary.
“Taking too much paracetamol can have a dramatic effect on liver health, causing damage and putting you at risk of liver failure. This occurs when there is too much of the drug in the body, which shows how important it is to stick to the recommended dosage to maintain a healthy lifestyle.”
The doctor went on to explain that it could cause severe damage to vital organs such as the liver.
He said: “To avoid liver damage, it is also important to avoid drinking alcohol when taking paracetamol, as combining the two can significantly increase the risk of damage.”
“Taking more than the recommended daily intake of paracetamol can result in an overdose, which can cause a variety of symptoms including jaundice, nausea, loss of appetite and confusion. In extreme circumstances it can even cause death.”
A woman named Rebecca Bisset accidentally took an overdose of paracetamol and died a few days later.
According to Dr. Gerald Sinovich, Alternative Leaf “Regularly taking less than the recommended daily intake of paracetamol can cause liver damage,” it explains.
According to the NHS, the recommended daily dose is one or two 500mg tablets at a time, with a maximum of four tablets within a 24-hour period, and a maximum of eight tablets within any 24-hour period.
If consumed frequently, it can be fatal. Getty Stock Photo
He said: “Research has shown that paracetamol can damage important structural connections between neighbouring cells in the liver, potentially causing liver damage.”
“In fact, in the UK and US, unintentional overdose of paracetamol is the most common cause of acute liver failure. In 2021, 227 people died in England and Wales from paracetamol overdose due to liver failure.”
Grant further explained this point: “An antidote can be given for a paracetamol overdose, but this needs to be done urgently. According to Public Health England, around 100,000 people are admitted to hospital each year as a result of a paracetamol overdose.”
“It’s really important to understand the recommended paracetamol dosage for adults and children to avoid dangerous ingestion. Adults can take two 500mg tablets every four to six hours, but it is not recommended to exceed eight tablets in 24 hours, and even less for people weighing less than eight stone.”
