Pharmacist issues 'liver damage' cold and flu paracetamol medicine warning

Pharmacist issues 'liver damage' cold and flu paracetamol medicine warning Pharmacist warns Brits to carry out a 30-second winter medicine check before taking medication As health officials warn of an early flu season, a leading pharmacist is urging Brits to perform a simple 30-second check before taking cold and flu remedies that contain paracetamol. It comes as public health agencies confirm that influenza began circulating significantly earlier than usual this autumn, in both the UK and the US. Girish Desai, Chief Pharmacist at Landys Chemist, warned that checking product brand names rather than active ingredients can lead people to unknowingly combine remedies that contain the same active ingredient, such as paracetamol. This mistake risks accidental overdoses and liver damage. Girish Desai said: "A common winter medicine mistake is checking the brand name instead of the active ingredients. Two products with completely different packaging can contain the same paracetamol, decongestant or sedating antihistamine. "Paracetamol is particularly easy to duplicate because it features in a wide range of products, including sachets, day-and-night remedies and separate painkillers. Taking multiple products containing the same ingredient can lead to accidentally exceeding the recommended daily dose, potentially causing liver damage. "It’s important to look beyond the product name and check the active ingredients of everything you’re taking. Keep track of each dose throughout the day and always follow the instructions on the packaging." Taking multiple medications that contain paracetamol, such as combining a standard painkiller with a cold and flu remedy, can easily lead to an accidental overdose and serious liver damage. To prevent toxicity, adults must not exceed the maximum daily limit of 4,000 mg (typically eight 500 mg tablets) within 24 hours and should always wait at least four hours between doses. Checking the active ingredient labels on all over-the-counter and prescription medicines is essential. Regular alcohol use or existing liver conditions can cause harm at even lower amounts. If you suspect that you or someone else has taken too much paracetamol, seek emergency medical help immediately, even if no symptoms are present, because signs of liver damage can take days to develop. In the UK, you should call NHS 111 right away or visit the nearest hospital emergency department for prompt assessment and treatment. The 30-second winter medicine check Before reaching for another cold, flu or pain relief remedy, the experts at Landys Chemist recommend carrying out these five simple checks: Read the active ingredients. Don’t rely on brand names or packaging. Look for common ingredients such as paracetamol, ibuprofen, pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine, antihistamines and cough suppressants. Check for duplicate ingredients. Avoid accidentally taking two products containing the same active ingredient. This is particularly important for cold and flu remedies, which can already contain painkillers or decongestants. Add up the full daily amount. Keep track of every tablet, liquid, capsule, sachet and night-time remedy taken within the same 24-hour period and never exceed the recommended dose on the packaging. Look for drowsiness warnings. Some cold and flu remedies contain antihistamines that can cause drowsiness. Check the warning label before driving, drinking alcohol or combining the remedy with sedating medication. Consider your existing prescriptions and health conditions. Not every winter remedy is suitable for everyone. Some ingredients can interact with prescription medication or worsen existing health conditions. If you take regular medication or have an underlying health condition, speak to a pharmacist before taking an over-the-counter remedy.