The National Pharmacy Association is encouraging people to follow the instructions on their medicines after researchers have found that taking slightly more paracetamol than is recommended can cause significant damage over time.
The research, conducted by the University of Edinburgh and the Scottish Liver Transplantation Unit looked at data from 663 patients admitted to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh between 1992 and 2008 with paracetamol-induced liver injury. Staggered overdoses accounted for admissions of 161 patients.
Leyla Hannbeck, Head of Information Services at the National Pharmacy Association said:
“Paracetamol is a commonly used medicine but like others it can harm as well as heal if taken inappropriately. Before taking any medicine, people should carefully read the patient information leaflet and follow any instructions given to them by their GP or pharmacist. Adults can take 1-2 tablets of paracetamol 4-6 hourly, up to four times a day - so no more than 8 tablets should be taken in a 24 hour period. It is important that you do not exceed recommended dose. If you find that paracetamol is not controlling your symptoms, speak to your pharmacist – they may be able to provide you with alternative pain control or can refer you on to someone who can help if you are suffering with chronic pain.”
The NPA is also encouraging people to pay close attention to combination cold and flu products as we enter the peak seasons for these illnesses.
Leyla Hannbeck said:
“Many of the over-the-counter cough and cold remedies contain paracetamol as an ingredient so if you are already taking painkillers, make sure you tell your pharmacist. The best advice is if you’re unsure about the correct doses, check the medicine label or ask the pharmacy team for more information.”
For information about the advice and support available at your local pharmacy, visitwww.askyourpharmacist.co.uk.
Similar Stories
Could your back pain be Osteoporosis? - 02 February 2012
Shiver my timbers! - 01 February 2012
Women taking indigestion drugs at increased risk of hip fracture after menopause - 30 January 2012
Fried foods and heart disease risk - 24 January 2012
Depressing drugs can cause falls - 20 January 2012
Campaigns & Issues
Lobby for libraries
The NPC officers have given their backing to a lobby being organised by UNISON, the National Federation of Women’s Institutes (NFWI), Voices for the Library, The Library Campaign, Campaign for the Book and the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) which will call on politicians to protect vital library services.
News
WRVS response to Health Committee report on social care
WRVS calls for a decisive leap towards joining up health and social care responding to the Health Select Committee inquiry report.
David McCullough, Chief Executive of WRVS said: “Delivering 21st-century health services will hinge on us switching considerable resources into keeping older people in their own homes and breaking the cycle of isolation that faces many people from their seventies onwards.
Competitions & Fun
Win a signed copy of Citizen James on DVD
CARRY ON’S inimitable Sid James is Citizen James in the hilarious 1960s BBC comedy, which finally comes to DVD for the first time. This long-lost classic comedy series makes its DVD debut, featuring the only known surviving episodes, the complete series one, and two episodes each from series two and three. They will be released as a two-disc set on 6 February 2012 courtesy of Acorn Media.
In series one written by Alan Simpson and Ray Galton (Hancock, Steptoe & Son), Sid (Sid James) is a hard-working layabout, gambler and con-artist, hanging out on the streets of Soho with his sidekick Bill (Bill Kerr), in Charlie’s Nosh Bar and occasionally paying a visit to his long-suffering fiancée Liz (Liz Fraser), to borrow money to pay off his gambling debts and cons gone wrong.
Advertorial
February is travel love month with Silver Travel Advisor
WIN £1,000 CRUISE VOUCHERS WITH VIKING RIVER CRUISES AND MANY OTHER PRIZES
Silver Travel Advisor is a friendly website packed with advice, tips, information and honest reviews written by and for silver travellers (aged over 50). A team of advisors are on hand to answer queries (for free), and you can share your own experiences too.
February is Travel Love month at Silver Travel Advisor, and there is a whole range of prizes to be found including the star prize:
Viking River Cruises – win £1,000 cruise vouchers
Health & Wellbeing
Scrap the government's health bill, say BMJ readers
More than 90% of British Medical Journal readers responding to a poll published today think the government's health reforms should be scrapped.
The poll asked: "Should the Health and Social Care Bill for England now be withdrawn?"
Property & Finance
Did you miss the Self Assessment deadline?
If you have missed the deadline for submitting a Self Assessment (SA) tax return and you can show that you should not have been in the SA regime in the first place, then you may be able to avoid any penalties.
Lifestyle
Paula's Wines of the Week starting 6 February 2012
If you really like a certain wine, rather than buying it in single cork-stoppered bottles why not get larger four bottle-sized amounts available in boxes? But if stepping along to the supermarket seems like too much of a chilly effort then try the online winebox retailer InspiredWine.co.uk because they’re offering free delivery during February.
There are advantages to buying wine in a winebox. As the wine is dispensed through a plastic tap all the annoyance of the cork is removed: no more tainted 'corked' wine (this spoils at least one in ten traditionally bottled wines due to improperly sterilised corks) and no more chasing around bits of broken cork that always sink when the index finger sent in to oik them out gets anywhere near them.
Travel & Leisure
£15m boost for sustainable travel
Transport Minister Norman Baker today announced £15m of new funding for sustainable travel projects across the country that will promote economic growth and cut carbon.
The investment is in addition to the £560m Local Sustainable Transport Fund announced in January 2011. This additional funding, heavily geared towards cycling, will support jobs, enhance access to employment and encourage greater use of more environmentally friendly transport.
More informative and entertaining than ever!