Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum.  ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.

Pain Management Community

This patient support community is for discussions relating to pain management, arthritis, back pain, cancer, fibromyalgia, headaches, movement disorders pain, and muscle pain.
 | 

Need quick help -- How many OTC painkillers can I take?

by cactus19, Oct 28, 2007 05:52PM
Well my wrist is either fractured or broken, but I won't be able to get it checked out until tomorrow, and all I have at home is over the counter stuff....

So I just need to know what the maximum safe amount of each thing I can take is...


like would I be able to take 1000mg ibuprofen + 1500mg acetaminophen + something else?
Member Comments

by RSDS_Pain, Oct 28, 2007 07:41PM
To: cactus19
For adults the maximum amount of acetaminophen by itself is 3000 mg per day. I don't know the maximums for acetaminophen plus ibprophen would be.

For me all that ibuprophen does is give me a rebound headache.

Remember to use RICE for your injury:
Rest
Ice (for about 20 minutes every hour)
Compression (an Ace type bandage)
Elevation (in a sling or on pillows)

I fractured my distal radius on 24 July, fortunately I had some hydrocodone on hand that I used.

If you get a spica thumb splint, make sure that it is applied properly. If it is not you can be in for some bad complications. Don't let them make it too tight around your thumb, or you will get compartment syndrome, like me. You want sufficent padding over bony areas, so that you don't get pressure ulcers. The bend at the base of the thumb needs to be smooth and gradual, not a sharp, pressure sore causing, kink. I had more pain from the pressure sore, at the base of my thumb, than from the fracture itself.

Distal radius / wrist fractures / immobalization put a person at risk for developing Complex Regional Pain Syndrome / Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome. Please watch for symptoms like excesive sweating, shiny skin, discolored skin, excesive or burning pain, swelling that lasts too long, changes in hair growth, etc. If you develop this syndrome get prompt treatment, so that you have a chance of going into remission.
Post Comment
To
Comment
Post Comment
Recent Activity
Comment on My Son in military....
1 min ago by sharalyn
Comment on My Son in military....
1 hr by sandee1818
Comment on My Son in military....
1 hr by sandee1818
Comment on My Son in military....
1 hr by sandee1818
Comment on My Son in military....
1 hr by shadowserpent
Mollyrae is feeling good and well rested
Comment on I hate my PVC's
3 hrs ago by Tonya730
Comment on Loss of My Daughter...
3 hrs ago by Cin121
Expert Activity
Early Diagnosis of Peripheral Arter... 
Aug 31 by Lee Kirksey, MD
5 Steps to Medical Debt
Aug 30 by Adam R. Tanase, D.C.
Coronary Artery Disease - Risk fact... updated
Aug 26 by Cleveland Clinic