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Eimai145 t1_ix6ufhg wrote

I'd like to ask you knowledgeable folks about this.

I take Advil a fair amount. Estimated intake is maybe 2 to 3 pills a day one to two days a week for chronic headaches, and 4 to 6 piils for 1 to 2 days per month for a monthly migraine.

Potential damage? What signs should I watch for? Tylenol doesn't cut through the pain.

Thank you.

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samstown23 t1_ix76y3t wrote

Depends on the strength but assuming 400mg/tablet, it's kind of borderline. While the unsupervised recommended daily dose is a mere 1200mg, higher amounts (up to 3200mg) are possible but require some degree of care (particularly when other drugs are involved, such as MTX, SSRIs, diuretics and others). Body mass should be taken into consideration beyond 2400mg as well.

To cut a long story short, acute toxicity likely isn't the problem but the long term use might be somewhat problematic, if only from the gastrointestinal side. I would definitely consult with a GP on that matter.

On a side note, since you mentioned it, please be careful with paracetamol/acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol): recommended doses and toxic doses are comparatively close together and a lot of OTC meds (often cold remedies) list it as an ingredient. Accidental overdose is an issue and happens relatively frequently (and I doubt you want a liver transplant). It's not unsafe or bad, quite the contrary, but it is comparatively error-prone.

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Eimai145 t1_ix8hy5w wrote

Thank you. I will speak to my GP about the long term use and side effects. I will continue to avoid Tylenol. I really appreciate your response.

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Henri_Dupont t1_ix84bye wrote

You and I are in the same boat, buddy. I was suffering from migraines and migraine associated vertigo, which can take a month to resolve. I did a sort of study on my self, keeping notes and alternating NSAIDS, and concluded that Naproxen at highest recommended dose helped my symptoms more than Ibuprofen (advil) at highest recommended dose.

Nothing in this thread is reassuring. Tylenol sounds like the least safe option.

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Eimai145 t1_ix8hkec wrote

I also get vertigo. Not fun.

I have purchased Naproxen but not tried it yet. Next time.

Thank you for your input. Much appreciated.

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_dang t1_ix8jzav wrote

I heard an interview on NPR the other day with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He suffered his whole adult life from migraines. Did a sleep study in 1990 and it was determined he wasn't getting enough oxygen during sleep. Prescribed a home oxygen therapy - which he does to this day. Says it changed his life. I don't suffer from migraines but it connected some thoughts I've had about things I've been dealing with.

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