A doctor has disclosed the concerning consequences of excessive reliance on painkillers.
When a headache strikes, reaching for a painkiller is often the first response. However, an expert advises against over-reliance on them.
Medical professionals warn that exceeding the recommended dose of paracetamol can unknowingly harm your body.
Investigations, as reported by Gloucestershire Live, reveal that one in eight UK residents takes paracetamol daily. More concerning, studies indicate that one in four Britons often exceed the maximum daily limit of eight tablets.
Approximately 25 percent of the British population suffers from persistent pain. However, research highlights the harmful side effects of long-term painkiller use.
Dr. Gerard Sinovich, Lead Pain Consultant at Alternaleaf, warns, “Over-the-counter painkillers like paracetamol are commonly used for pain treatment in this country. However, they should not be used for more than three consecutive days without consulting a doctor.”
He emphasizes, “There is very little education in this country about the long-term effects of frequent usage. From liver failure to kidney damage and breathing problems, the long-term side effects can be extremely damaging.”
Dr. Sinovich, from the private health clinic Alternaleaf in the UK, outlines five detrimental effects of daily painkiller intake based on his expertise.
Five signs you’re taking too much paracetamol
1. Tiredness and fatigue
“One of the most frequent side effects of paracetamol is exhaustion and fatigue, due to the acetaminophen content of the drug. If it is taken regularly, then it’s likely a person will regularly feel tired and drowsy more of the time.”
2. Respiratory problems
“Research shows that frequent paracetamol use can lead to a significant increase in the probability of wheezing. It is also associated with an increase in asthma symptoms, and the effect is greater, the more the drug is taken.”
3. Liver Failure
“Liver injury can occur with regular paracetamol intake, even at or below the recommended daily dose of one or two 500mg tablets at a time, up to four times in 24 hours, with a maximum of eight tablets in 24 hours, according to the NHS. Studies have shown that paracetamol can damage the liver by harming vital structural connections between adjacent cells in the organ.”
“In fact, unintentional overdose of paracetamol is the most common cause of acute liver failure in the UK and US. In 2021, 227 deaths in England and Wales were attributed to paracetamol overdose resulting in liver failure.”
4. Heart Attack
“Studies have shown that regularly taking paracetamol containing sodium is linked to an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and death. Sodium, a main component of salt, is often used to help drugs like paracetamol dissolve in water.”
“However, if a person takes the maximum daily dose of paracetamol, they would also be exceeding the 2g maximum daily dose of sodium. Research indicates that regularly taking paracetamol containing sodium over a long period can significantly increase a person’s risk of heart attack, stroke, or heart failure, regardless of whether they have high blood pressure or not.”
5. Fingers and lips can go blue
“In rare cases, allergic reactions to paracetamol can cause the skin, tongue, or lips to turn blue, grey or pale. Other indications of an allergic reaction include the lips, mouth or tongue suddenly becoming swollen, feeling exceptionally dizzy and drowsy, and extremely fast breathing or struggling to breathe.”
“If you do experience any of these symptoms after taking paracetamol, it’s important to call 999 immediately.”