Health Advice

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Head Lice – Help!!!

Every parent’s heart sinks when they receive the dreaded note from school warning about head lice. Don’t worry – Jane Brennan from Brennan’s Life Pharmacy in Donabate is here to to give us advice and tips. The first thing to do is to check the child’s head. You will need some tea tree conditioner, a... Read more >

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Are You SunSmart?

We ask Jane Brennan from Brennan’s Life Pharmacy Donabate how to make the most of great sunny summer days whilst protecting our skin from harmful rays. Jane says “The Irish Cancer Society SunSmart program has great guidelines to keep us safe. See below for some useful tips and advice” Ways to protect your skin: Shade... Read more >

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Pollen Highs & Watery Eyes

Pollen Highs & Watery Eyes… Talk to Jane Brennan, your Hay Fever Expert in Donabate Are your eyes itchy, red or watery? Is your throat scratchy? Are you sneezing? Do you have itchy ears, nose or mouth? Do you have a blocked or runny nose? Do you wake up feeling exhausted? Hay fever can cause... Read more >

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NHS Choices - Side effects of paracetamol

(19/08/2014)

Side effects from paracetamol are rare.

However, side effects can include:

  • a rash or swelling – this could be a sign of an allergic reaction
  • hypotension (low blood pressure) when given in hospital by infusion (a continuous drip of medicine into a vein in your arm) 
  • liver and kidney damage, when taken at higher-than-recommended doses (overdose)

In extreme cases the liver damage that can result from a paracetamol overdose can be fatal.

Dosage

Make sure you take paracetamol as directed on the label or as instructed by a health professional. Unless instructed otherwise, do not take more than four doses of paracetamol within 24 hours.

If you think you have taken too much paracetamol, go to your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department.

Paracetamol can also be associated with blood disorders, such as thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) and leukopenia (low number of white blood cells), but this is extremely rare. 

Driving ability

Paracetamol, taken at recommended doses, is not known to interfere with your ability to drive.


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