Aa
Am I capable of safely exceeding the recommended daily dosage displayed on bottles of acetaminophen or Ibuprofen?
Ok so I've been getting these horrible aches stemming from one particular molar the past few years. Every 3-6 months something will irritate the gums underneath it and cause them to swell up, putting some painful pressure on the molar.
The molar in question is quite damaged, but I don't have dental healthcare, and I can't afford the procedure to repair the molar. I'm 22 years old, but will be a fulltime student at college in the near future, which will allow me to be covered by my parents dental for long enough to get it repaired. I'm just covering this bit to filter out uneeded comments recommending I go get myself checked out instead of just resorting to painkillers.
Anyway, these periods of suffering only last about a week before the swelling goes down, so its mostly just a matter of endurance until I can get the problem fixed once and for all. I alternate between Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen so as to not put myself at risk of damaging my liver/kidneys, but I find that my body goes through them at a rapid rate, while a bottle may say the pills should last 4 hours, it may only last a quarter of that at times. This is just speculation from somebody with minimal medical training, but I think this is because of my metabolism, my body burns through its resources very quickly (as a result I'm one of those guys that neve seems to gain weight).
So heres the question, if my body is burning through the pills quicker than normal, am I able to take more than normal without hurting myself?
The molar in question is quite damaged, but I don't have dental healthcare, and I can't afford the procedure to repair the molar. I'm 22 years old, but will be a fulltime student at college in the near future, which will allow me to be covered by my parents dental for long enough to get it repaired. I'm just covering this bit to filter out uneeded comments recommending I go get myself checked out instead of just resorting to painkillers.
Anyway, these periods of suffering only last about a week before the swelling goes down, so its mostly just a matter of endurance until I can get the problem fixed once and for all. I alternate between Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen so as to not put myself at risk of damaging my liver/kidneys, but I find that my body goes through them at a rapid rate, while a bottle may say the pills should last 4 hours, it may only last a quarter of that at times. This is just speculation from somebody with minimal medical training, but I think this is because of my metabolism, my body burns through its resources very quickly (as a result I'm one of those guys that neve seems to gain weight).
So heres the question, if my body is burning through the pills quicker than normal, am I able to take more than normal without hurting myself?
The drugs you are taking are totally inappropriate for a dental infection. Your plan of action in dealing with this situation is absolutely positively unacceptable.
In a worse-case scenario, if you wait long enough there is a reasonable chance the infection will end up in the blood stream. From the bloodstream it will settle on the heart valve. Because of the high pressure against the valve antibiotics will not kill such an infection.
You will then require a pig-valve replacement and be on coumadin for the rest of your life. Happy days. It'll be a great twenty third birthday present.
Another funny complication. When the bacteria settle in the heart they tend to throw off filamentaceous material which tends to travel and cause blockage of blood vessels in the brain. This causes death of brain cells. You may lose your ability to talk, use your hands, walk or to swallow.
I'm sure you think this is what one might call an "un-needed" comment.
In a worse-case scenario, if you wait long enough there is a reasonable chance the infection will end up in the blood stream. From the bloodstream it will settle on the heart valve. Because of the high pressure against the valve antibiotics will not kill such an infection.
You will then require a pig-valve replacement and be on coumadin for the rest of your life. Happy days. It'll be a great twenty third birthday present.
Another funny complication. When the bacteria settle in the heart they tend to throw off filamentaceous material which tends to travel and cause blockage of blood vessels in the brain. This causes death of brain cells. You may lose your ability to talk, use your hands, walk or to swallow.
I'm sure you think this is what one might call an "un-needed" comment.
I have doubts that I've built up a tolerence to them, I don't typically resort to any drugs or medications, I simply allow my body to deal with most complications on it's own. This problem of mine has occured maybe 5-7 times so far over a 3 year period, over which I'd estimate I've ingested about 20,000mg of ibuprofen(estimated about 150 small pills in a baggie in which I grabbed from when in need, 150mg each).
Would that be capable of affecting the results so dramatically? My only other encounters with painkillers was the odd time I was sick my Mom would serve me Neo Citrus, and I took a few T3s after having my wisdom teeth removed.
Would that be capable of affecting the results so dramatically? My only other encounters with painkillers was the odd time I was sick my Mom would serve me Neo Citrus, and I took a few T3s after having my wisdom teeth removed.
I would say no because even if you are burning through the meds quicker than normal if you take more than what is recommended you are still putting your self at risk for some bad side effects like liver and kidney damage you should only take what is recommended per day or less to be safe try some orajel pm its better than the regular kind because it is thicker and last longer maybe that will help you get through the pain until time to take the next dose unless there is anyway you can get to a dr soon
You know some colleges that have dental programs will allow you to be seen by the students supervised of course and they will do most dental work on you for a very good cheap price I've known people to do that and have no complaints they said the students do great work and that would solve your problems quicker than waiting till you get insurance
You know some colleges that have dental programs will allow you to be seen by the students supervised of course and they will do most dental work on you for a very good cheap price I've known people to do that and have no complaints they said the students do great work and that would solve your problems quicker than waiting till you get insurance
It is NOT because your metabolism is "burning" through the medication, it is related to the frequency you are USING the medication. Sounds like you are building a tolerance to the medications.
Please stick to the recommended dosage that is written; DON'T GO OVER THE MAXIMUM. Maximum for tylenol is 4 Gm or 4,000 Mg and the Maximum for ibuprofen is 3.2 Gm or 3200 Mg-this is within a 24 HOUR period. 2400 Mg or 1800 Mg/24 hours is the most commonly prescribed for ibuprofen.
I have taken care of TWO patients in the past; one who had tylenol toxicity and the other one had ibuprofen toxicity. Both patients were going into liver failure in which was caught in time. Both thought is was ok to take more than the RECOMMENDED amount of medication.
Please be careful.
Please stick to the recommended dosage that is written; DON'T GO OVER THE MAXIMUM. Maximum for tylenol is 4 Gm or 4,000 Mg and the Maximum for ibuprofen is 3.2 Gm or 3200 Mg-this is within a 24 HOUR period. 2400 Mg or 1800 Mg/24 hours is the most commonly prescribed for ibuprofen.
I have taken care of TWO patients in the past; one who had tylenol toxicity and the other one had ibuprofen toxicity. Both patients were going into liver failure in which was caught in time. Both thought is was ok to take more than the RECOMMENDED amount of medication.
Please be careful.
1 Comments
I had my tonsils out and for past two days I have taken 2 pills of the 500 mg (extra strength Tylenol) every 6 hours. I just did the math and that means I have taken 4,000 mg a day. I only weigh 120 pounds.... is this going to effect my liver if I've been taking more than the maximum daily dosage 2 days in a row? Please help I'm scared. -Brittany
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the General Health Community
Top General Health Answerers
Nelson, New Zealand
Queensland, Australia
AL
way off the beaten track!, BC
Discharge often isn't normal, and could mean an infection or an STD.
In this unique and fascinating report from Missouri Medicine, world-renowned expert Dr. Raymond Moody examines what really happens when we almost die.
Think a loved one may be experiencing hearing loss? Here are five warning signs to watch for.
When it comes to your health, timing is everything
We’ve got a crash course on metabolism basics.
Learn what you can do to avoid ski injury and other common winter sports injury.
