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Long term use of Paracetamol

Posted , 4 users are following.

pauline87
pauline87

I have been taking paracetamol most days for 12months after having been diagnosed with severe cervical spondylitis. I have read they can cause problems  if taken long term.  my GP says it's ok if you stick To the dosage. As anybody  else read this 

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • wen06862
    wen06862 pauline87

    Posted

    My dad took paracetamol with codeine, he never went over the maximum dose, but he took it nearly everyday for his backache - it helped - 

    I think he took it for about 6 years - not 100% sure -

    He developed liver cancer and bowel cancer which killed him

    Not sure if the pills contributed or not. 

    There is no history of either cancer in his family.

  • gill70346
    gill70346 pauline87

    Posted

    Are you just taking paracetomol or cocodamol? If just paracetomol, does it work? I never found it did which is why I was transferred to co-codamo. l am taking co-codamol 30/500 which is 30g codeine and 500g paracetomol which does deal with the pain I have from several different conditions. I have been taking 2 tablets 2-3 times per day for over 15 years and have had not problems apart from acid reflux for which I take omeprazole. Just about everybody I know that has had problems with co-codamol long or short term, it has been because they have not stuck to the dose ie they have have taken too much and/or too often. 
    • wen06862
      wen06862 gill70346

      Posted

      Just to add

      I also took 30/500 cocodamol for about 9 - 10 years. for back pain, sciatica and muscle cramps from being on the floor for up to 12 hours with MD vertigo - not being able to move.

      I never went over the 8 tablets in 24 hours

      At one point I was only taking 2 tablets a day.

      Then realised about the addiction side, (the warning was not in the box when I started taking them - it is now, stating to take them for no longer than 3 days at a time)

      so came off them slowly, getting withdrawal symptoms in the process.

      It's the long term use of paracetamol which seems to be the culprit for damage, that's why I put the info on here. A lot of people in hospital with my dad, had been on paracetamol or paracetamol with codeine for a time (12months or more) They were the ones with liver trouble (I'm not saying it causes trouble in all cases but I think people need to be aware that it could be a contributing factor)

      I too found that paracetamol never worked on it's own.

      I've had tests on my liver - it is enlarged a bit, so have to keep going for checks.

       

    • pauline87
      pauline87 wen06862

      Posted

      I took co-codamol for a short time but they didn't suit me I hate taking tablets at the best of times.  I try to put up with the pain as much as I can but some days it's so bad I have to take something the doctor told me paracetamol are safe if you keep to the days age of 2 every 4 hrs  8 in 24hrs. Some days I try not to take them but if I am shopping or doing anything I have to take them. I have a amitripline at night but they just help you to sleep. 
  • loiselane
    loiselane pauline87

    Posted

    Hi Pauline,

    Be really careful if you need cocodomol fair enough but it's highly addictive. I speak from experience. Taken me 3 weeks now and still suffering withdrawal symptoms. X

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