Overdose

[Fifscott]

Ok I am very stupid I am on prednisilone for asthma flare up and have to take 8 in the morning

Well I mixed them up with my thyroxine and have taken 8 x 100 mcg

Has anyone else done this or am I the only idiot what should I do ?

[cjrsquared]

Some people take their levothyroxine as a once weekly dose, so just refrain for a few days before taking anymore. Perhaps keep medication in separate places for the future.?

[Fifscott]

Thank you ! And yes I will fortunately my course of prednisilone is finished now ! I won't make this mistake again

[shaws Administrator in reply to Fifscott]

Buy a couple of pill-boxes £1 from pound shop. It is very easy to overdose sometimes and its only when tablets are swallowed we realise the mistake.

You could take prednisalone p.m. and levo a.m.

[helvella Administrator]

If your heart-rate rises, you feel over-heated, or have any other worrying symptoms, get to an A&E unit promptly.

One of the problems with high doses (overdoses) of levothyroxine is that the most significant impact can be delayed by one to four days. So you might feel OK today, then start to suffer tomorrow, or Tuesday,...

In my view, it would be very much more sensible to seek help now than later - if or when overdose symptoms start. You can go before a potential emergency develops. This makes it all so much easier for you and the medical staff. There is no need to panic. (Really helpful sort of comment - of course you will panic. )

Most reports show that overdosing on levothyroxine can be treated quite effectively. Usually they prescribe the beta-blocker propranolol. This both reduces the impact on the heart and reduces conversion of T4 to T3. There are other things that can also be used.

Without being trained in medicine and knowing your background, I couldn't possibly say if that is appropriate for you.

When testing levothyroxine, they usually give 600 microgram doses to healthy volunteers. This is regarded as safe. The problem is that you might not actually be as healthy as those volunteers. Your dose is certainly not nearly as high as many that have been reported.

[foxglove]

Not Stupid at all and certainly not an idiot - we've all done it!

My husband on lots of meds. and can sleep for Britain. I once gave him MY sleeping med. in mistake for his bp tablet, I realised soon after and agonised about phoning the emergency services however I left be and just kept a watch, he slept for about 20 hours and then wakened fine,. Believe me it was the longest 20 hours I think I've ever known!!!!

[Fifscott in reply to foxglove]

Thank you I have felt quite silly but as you say if you are on lots of medicines it's easily done I have I dose it box I will be using from now on lol

[humanbean]

I would be curious about what the outcome of this was. If you went to A&E or the ER what was the response you got? And how do you feel?

[Fifscott in reply to humanbean]

I didn't go to a&E I felt a bit sweat (still do ) but apart from that I seem fine so far

I just feel a silly and have decided I must use a dose it box from now on I will keep you posted if things change