POPPING Panadol tablets is second nature for many who have migraines or menstrual cramps.
Some even end up taking almost the whole strip of 10 tablets within a day. But there are hidden dangers, doctors told my paper.
Dr Chin Khong Ling, a general practitioner with Healthway Medical Group, said: "The main complication related to overdosage is liver failure. Early signs of overdosage include nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.
"Liver damage begins 24 to 72 hours after overdosage."
Others, like Dr Norman Koh, a family physician from Silver Cross Medical Centre, said some patients take Panadol to relieve pain.
But that pain can be a symptom of a more serious ailment.
"For example, some people with stomach cancer do not realise it until it is too late, as they keep taking other medications like antacids," he said.
Dr Wong Wei Mon, a senior physician with Raffles Medical, agreed, saying: "I know of many people who take Panadol for anything and everything. It is advisable to keep to the recommended dosage, as increasing the dose does not confer added benefits."
Miss Carmen Lim, 21, a sales assistant, said she has had debilitating menstrual cramps since her period began when she was 14.
She said: "When I popped two and the pain did not go away, I took another two. It was (only) until the fifth dosage that the pain went away."
The recommended dosage for Panadol is two tablets every four to six hours. Miss Lim took 10 tablets in four hours.
The maximum dosage of Panadol for an adult is no more than eight tablets a day and taking more than that would amount to overdosage.
Mr Michael Tan, 28, an accounts executive, said: "I take a Panadol (tablet) every now and then to cure my hangovers. When two pills don't work, I just take another two.
"But I know it's not a miracle pill (to cure) all ailments."
