paracetamol

[Tillymint]

Is it possible to get addicted to paracetamol? I work with 2 guys who have to take 2 paracetamol every day for a headache. I think they have become addicted and this is why they get a headache every day. Does anyone have any information about this?

[tellboy]

Not sensible learned information but :-

I don't know if this is folklore but someone told me that Paracetamol taken over a long period starts to give you headaches. Catch 22 situation.then take Nurofen to get rid of your Paracetomol headache

[Supernick]

I've got zero evidence to back this up, but I'm convinced that one of the reasons that I neve get ill is that about 6-7 years ago, I stopped taking all pills, supplements and medicines of any sort. On the very rare occasions I get a cold or a headache I just see it through rather than relying on anything, and I haven't had a day off in 4 years. Could just be very lucky though.

[AliFlump]

It was on Radio 2 last week that if you continue to take a medication everyday that you dont need it can have the reverse effect.

best thing is to stop cold turkey they will eventually go away

[Chessman]

The short answer is yes, because its possible to get addicted to anything, my father was addicted to Codeine, I think your concerns are very real, if they are, it can only harm them in the long run.

Is it possible to find out how many a day they are taking?.

[Laurinha]

You really are Super-nick!

[qapmoc]

Well, I think you should also be aware that paracetamol used long term can lead to liver damage if the user is also a heavy drinker or is taking other drugs, see this link for info.

[spudqueen]

Yes, it was on Radio 2 the other day, you might still be able to listen to it on their website. I heard this woman who woke everyday with a headache so took 2 painkillers, she ended up having between 4 and 8 painkillers everyday which was what was giving her the headache! Catch 22 situation.

[islandman]

What is MORE important is that continued/prolonged use of paracetamol CAN lead to liver damage. This happened to my wife and now any cold/headache etc means that we are limited in what she can use and most analgesics contain paracetamol

[curiosity]

I also read in the Candis magazine that taking Paracetamol over a number of days, causes headaches, so is totally a daft thing to do.

[WendyS]

As a side issue I would suggest that if these 2 guys are both getting a headache every day it might be something to do with their office enviroment. Do they use computers? If so, are they located at the correct distance from the eyes and away from the glare of fluorescent lights? When did they last have their eyesight checked? And are they sedentary all day, allowing neck and shoulder muscles to become tense, which can lead to headaches. If you have a Health & Safety Manager in the company, suggest they have a word with him. Or perhaps the stress of the job is just too great for them?

[Pherstun]

YES, it is possible to get addicted to paracetamol - it's very easy to do so if you're not careful.

And the repeated headaches they're getting is called either Chronic Daily Headache, or Medication Misuse Headache. You can find out more about it at http://www.living-with.co.uk/conditions/h&m/hm-other headaches.php