OVER one in 10 Brits say they rely on painkillers to get through the day.
Research shows that overuse of the common pain medication paracetamol could raise your risk of serious health conditions like high blood pressure, stroke and heart disease.
Data from Mamedica revealed that 13 per cent of Brits are reliant on painkillers just to make it through the day.
Another 16 per cent reported habitually taking painkillers every four hours whenever they are in pain or have an ache.
And 12 per cent said they no longer feel the effect of painkillers when they pop the recommended dose.
According to Mamedica, some 28 million adults in the UK grapple with chronic pain – this is pain that’s caused by long-term medical conditions or that persists beyond the period you’d usually expect to recover in.
But taking painkillers like paracetamol long-term could cause its own set of unpleasant side effects, ranging from dangerous allergic reactions to liver and kidney damage.
Overuse of the popular pain med could also bump up your blood pressure, putting you at risk of health events like a heart attack or stroke.
Here are the five side effects of popping too much paracetamol to know – and the recommended dosage to stick to.
1. Increase in blood pressure
Paracetamol tends to be suggested as a safer alternative to another class of painkillers called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are known to increase blood pressure and the risk of heart disease.
A study conducted by the University of Edinburgh in 2022 made a worrying link between regular paracetamol use and heightened blood pressure.
The study involved 110 patients with a history of high blood pressure being prescribed one gram of paracetamol four times a day – a dose often prescribed to patients with chronic pain – or a placebo pill for two weeks.
In just those two weeks, participants taking paracetamol saw a significant increase in their blood pressure, results published in the journal Circulation showed.
This rise was similar to that seen with NSAIDs and might be expected to increase the risk of heart disease or stroke by around 20 per cent, experts said.
They recommended that people with a long-term prescription for the painkiller, usually used for the treatment of chronic pain, should opt for the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible amount of time.
2. Heart attack and stroke
It’s not just people with high blood pressure who need to be wary of taking paracetamol too regularly.
Particular varieties of paracetamol tablets with a hidden ingredient could be dangerous to take long-term, research suggests.
Sodium, one of the main components of salt, is often used to help effervescent varieties of drugs like paracetamol dissolve in water.
But each soluble tablet contains large amounts of sodium; if a person took the maximum daily dose of effervescent paracetamol, they would go over the 2g maximum daily dose of sodium recommended by the World Health Organization.
Researchers from China’s Central South University found that regularly taking paracetamol with sodium in it can increase a person’s risk of heart attack, stroke or heart failure.
This was regardless of whether they had high blood pressure.
3. Allergic reaction
According to the NHS, paracetamol very rarely causes side effects if you take it at the right dosage.
But in rare cases, some people might suffer a serious allergic reaction called anaphylaxis after taking the tablets.
It is recommended you call 999 if you experience the following symptoms of a severe allergic reaction after taking paracetamol:
- Your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
- You’re breathing very fast or struggling to breathe – you may become very wheezy or feel like you’re choking or gasping for air
- Your throat feels tight or you’re struggling to swallow
- Your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale – if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet
- You suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
- Get a rash that’s swollen, itchy or blistered
Someone faints and not being able to be woken up is another red flag.
As for children, call 999 if they become limp, floppy or not responding like they normally do.
They may find it difficult to lift their head, it may fall to the side, backwards or forwards, or they may struggle to focus on your face.
4. Liver and kidney damage
Taking too much paracetamol is also associated with liver and kidney damage, according to NHS Inform.
It’s worth noting that it’s advised that people who have liver or kidney issues or problems with booze, such as long-term alcohol misuse, get advice from a doctor or pharmacist before taking paracetamol.
5. Blood disorders
Another rare side effect of paracetamol is blood disorders such as thrombocytopenia and leukopenia, NHS Inform said.
Thrombocytopenia means you have low levels of platelets in the blood.
Platelets help your blood clot, therefore fewer platelets could prevent blood clotting after an injury and lead to prolonged bleeding from cuts.
Leukopenia is a condition where the body doesn’t have enough disease-fighting white blood cells – called leukocytes – in the blood.
Paracetamol: What is the recommended dosage?
PARACETAMOL comes in multiple different strengths and forms, according to the NHS:
- Tablet – 500mg or 1g
- Capsule – 500mg
- Syrup you swallow (oral solution) – 120mg, 250mg or 500mg in 5ml
- Powder you add to water and drink
- Suppository (medicine that you push gently into your bottom) – 60mg to 1g
Paracetamol for adults:
Adults can take two 500mg tablets up to four times in 24 hours.
You must wait at least four hours between doses. Do not take more than eight tablets in 24 hours.
If you’re taking paracetamol for a short-lived pain like a headache, you may only need to take it for a day or two.
Taking too much paracetamol can be dangerous and you may need treatment. Too much paracetamol can cause liver damage.
Paracetamol for children:
You shouldn’t give your child more than four doses of paracetamol in 24 hours, whether it’s a tablet or syrup
Infant syrup – sometimes called “junior syrup” – is for children under six years old. A 5ml dose contains 120mg of paracetamol.
These are the doses for it:
- Three to five months – 2.5 ml
- Six to 23 months – 5ml max
- Two to three years – 7.5ml
- Four to five years – 10 ml
Six plus (6+) syrup is for children aged six years and older. A 5ml dose contains 250mg of paracetamol.
- Six to seven years – 5ml
- Eight to nine years – 7.5ml
- 10 to 11 years – 10ml
As for tablets, they usually come as 500mg or 250mg for children.
These are the NHS-recommended doses for them:
- Six to seven years – 250mg
- Eight to nine years – 375mg
- 10 to 11 years – 500mg
- 12 to 15 years – 750mg
- 16 to 17 years – 1g
Sarah Carter is a health and wellness expert residing in the UK. With a background in healthcare, she offers evidence-based advice on fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being, promoting healthier living for readers.
