A pharmacist has issued a warning to anyone who takes paracetamol or ibuprofen. There’s something people need to know about the popular medication taken by millions
07:58, 08 Jan 2026Updated 10:27, 08 Jan 2026
A pharmacist issued a warning about paracetamol and ibuprofen (stock image)(Image: Getty)
Lots of people take pills like paracetamol and ibuprofen as such medications are common go-tos for aches and pains. However, a pharmacist has recently issued a warning to anyone who takes the pills regularly.
It turns out there are some things you need to know about the medication before you take it, and an expert, known as pharmacist Anum online, has recently outlined the things people need to be aware of. Even though she admitted some over-the-counter medications can be “great”, there are instances where people can experience potential health issues, so you need to be aware of the risks before becoming too reliant on them.
It’s super important information to digest, as paracetamol and ibuprofen are used by millions. Just a few weeks ago, another warning was also issued about taking the medication.
Pharmacist Anum said you need to be investigated by a doctor before taking too many options from over the counter. She started off by talking about indigestion remedies, and she noted they are “completely fine” to use on a short-term basis for most people; however, when people become over-reliant on them, they need to be seen by a doctor.
This is because they need to get to the root of the symptoms if they are not going away. She said it’s crucial you seek medical advice if you find yourself using them too much.
She continued: “What I feel often gets overlooked is painkillers. So super common things. Paracetamol, ibuprofen, co-codamol.
“Again, when used short-term for headaches now and then, or aches and pains now and then, it’s completely fine. When you’re having to rely on these medications day-to-day to do your normal day-to-day activities, that’s an issue if you haven’t been investigated.
“Again, if it sounds like you, speak with your GP, so they can find out the root cause of the pain, and then you can be treated appropriately. Over-using these medications, you’re just increasing the chances of side effects, you can build tolerance to things like co-codamol, making it more difficult to treat your pain in the future.”
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So, in a nutshell, you shouldn’t be using the medications too regularly. If you fall into this trap, it could cause you all sorts of problems.
What happens if you become too reliant on them?
Little you may know, it’s possible to take too much paracetamol, and it can lead to serious health consequences such as severe damage to the liver and kidneys and, in some instances, it can even be fatal.
When using it, it’s essential to stick to the recommended dosage. When you take too much paracetamol, it can be dangerous, because it can overwhelm the body’s ability to safely process the medication.
Symptoms of liver damage may not be immediately apparent, which is why it’s essential to seek medical attention if you think anything is wrong. Taking too much ibuprofen can also be dangerous.
Overuse of ibuprofen has the potential to lead to issues like stomach aches and indigestion, kidney damage and cardiovascular issues. You should never become too reliant on it or use more than is advised.
As pharmacist Anum stated, using these drugs from time-to-time is usually fine for most people. You just need to ensure you follow the instructions and don’t become too reliant on them.
If you have any concerns about your health, speak to a GP for further advice. It’s always important to report any worrying symptoms so they can be examined.