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Comment by lucb1e | Hacker News Reader

In Germany they always (n=2) act surprised when I ask for more than a single box. I don't even take it myself, my girlfriend uses one dose (usually 2x0.5g before going to sleep) maybe every tenth day or so; I myself might use it once a year. But the stuff lasts for years and I don't fancy running out or not having some with me when I (or someone near me) needs it, so we just buy it in bulk and replace when empty or after the expiry has sufficiently passed. I get a lecture from the apothecary every time. Does nobody else buy ahead, especially in the pandemic?

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In the UK, paracetamol and ibuprofen are sold in supermarkets, but you're limited to buying two packs of 16 pills per visit. Of course, you can easily build up a stash over time.

That’s really interesting. I have a bottle of probably 300 acetominophen caplets from Costco, it’s my go-to hangover cure. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen are incredibly common in the US.

Yeah, US bottles seem crazy to me, for drugs where overdose is lethal. I think the theory behind the UK pack size restriction is that suicide attempts are often spontaneous, so it's life-saving not to have a lethal amount in the house. Also, accidentally popping hundreds of pills out of the blister packaging (rather than a bottle) is pretty unlikely. The restrictions seem to work, with a 40% reduction in paracetamol-related deaths: https://www.nhs.uk/news/medication/smaller-paracetamol-packs...

What’s really funny is that if you go to Amsterdam, you can get paracetamol in a quick dissolving pill that works much faster than the really hard ones you get in the states, but it’s in a bubble package and fewer doses so it’s harder to commit suicide with. But in the states you only get the hard pills, which are harder to crush and use to make illicit drugs out of, but in unlimited amounts. So.. we don’t care if you kill yourselves, as long as you don’t have any fun doing it?

> we don’t care if you kill yourselves, as long as you don’t have any fun doing it?

This is actually a good summary. As mentioned in sibling threads, most pharmaceuticals that could potentially be enjoyable are formulated stateside in combination with things that will either make you feel terrible or outright kill you at high enough doses.

Are you sure it's safe? Paracetamol has high hepatotoxic effects when taken with (or soon after consumption of) alcohol. It's probably best to ask a doctor when you have a chance.

I take a standard adult dose in the morning, 6-8 hours after I stop drinking and after plenty of water. I’m not worried about it. Also, to be fair, I usually take ibuprofen. Acetaminophen hits different though, sometimes it’s what you need.

I'd say if you need that much tylenol for your hangovers, the alcohol consumption is a far bigger worry than the side effects of the tylenol.

You're missing the necessary information to make that assumption. Though the temptation to judge others is an inherent human trait of sanctimony.

I bought a massive sack of kosher salt because it was a good deal. It's a stupid amount. Doesn't mean I overdose on salt with every meal, it's going to last me a long, long time. Might become a family heirloom.

You'd be silly to lecture me about salt intake.

To add, people respond to alcohol differently due to genetics, metabolism, etc. I can wake up the next day with a ponding headache even after a seemingly small amount of drinks to some people, especially if I’m poorly hydrated in general,

A couple glasses of water before bed works at least as well as a pill the next morning, in my experience. Hangovers are one of the main ways I feel myself getting old! Haha

Bit confused by your comment—Costco is a big box store. I paid maybe $10 for the bottle. I’m not taking it daily, nor do I take more than a standard amount. I was just commenting that it’s sold in much larger quantities here, not that I’m abusing acetaminophen or alcohol.

In Canada don't think there is a limit.

I buy Costco's kirkland branded acetaminophen and ibuprofen. it's like 500 pills in a 2 pack, 500mg pills (extra strength) like every 1-2 years

You can purchase over the counter, most grocery stores and gas stations carry it. Pick it up at the "dollar mart" too.

I was taking 2000mg of each at the same time, for bad tooth pain for a week.

They just want to protect you from yourself, do not take it personal.

I don't really, and I am polite and do thank them for the info they give / the concern they express. It just surprises me a little that they don't consider this normal.

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