GP warns paracetamol and ibuprofen can cause ulcers, liver and kidney damage if misused

A leading general practitioner has warned that two of the most widely used over-the-counter painkillers — paracetamol and ibuprofen — can cause serious harm, including stomach ulcers, liver failure and kidney damage, if taken more often or in higher doses than recommended.

Dr. Dean Eggitt, a GP and chief executive of the Doncaster Local Medical Committee, told patients that paracetamol (also known as acetaminophen) and ibuprofen are safe when used correctly but can prove fatal if misused. "All these simple over the counter medications can actually prove fatal in the wrong doses — and some, like paracetamol, within a week," he said. "It's a huge problem and people just don't recognise the risk."

Paracetamol is widely used to treat pain and fever and is an ingredient in many cold and flu preparations. Overdoses can cause acute liver injury and, in severe cases, liver failure. The risk increases not only from taking a single excessive dose but also from slightly exceeding recommended dosages repeatedly over several days.

Ibuprofen belongs to a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs. It relieves pain and inflammation but can irritate the stomach lining, increasing the risk of stomach ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding. Long-term or high-dose NSAID use is also associated with impaired kidney function in some patients.

Dr. Eggitt cautioned that people often underestimate how easily harm can occur. He said that taking slightly more than the recommended dose over the course of a week — not just a single day — can lead to permanent liver and kidney damage. He also warned that combining products containing the same active ingredient, such as multiple cold remedies that contain paracetamol, can push total daily intake above safe limits.

Health authorities and medicine labels set maximum daily doses for a reason, experts say. Patients are generally advised to follow product instructions, not to exceed the stated maximum daily dose, and to avoid combining products that contain the same active ingredient. People with preexisting liver or kidney disease, those who drink alcohol heavily, older adults and patients taking other medications should consult a pharmacist or clinician before using these medicines regularly.

Signs of possible overdose or serious adverse effects can include persistent nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, jaundice or unusual fatigue with paracetamol, and severe abdominal pain, black stools or fainting with NSAID-related bleeding. Anyone who suspects they have exceeded safe doses, or who develops concerning symptoms after taking these medicines, should seek urgent medical advice.

The warnings come as paracetamol and ibuprofen remain among the most commonly purchased over-the-counter analgesics. Clinicians emphasize that the drugs have an important role in managing pain and fever when used according to guidance, but stress the importance of public awareness about the risks of regular or excessive use and the value of speaking to a healthcare professional about safer alternatives for long-term pain management.