Adults can usually take up to two 500 mg paracetamol tablets (1,000 mg) at a time, up to four times in 24 hours , with at least 4 hours between doses, and no more than 8 tablets (4,000 mg) in 24 hours.

However, this is general guidance only and may not be safe for everyone. You should use a lower maximum or speak to a doctor or pharmacist urgently if:

  • You have liver problems, drink a lot of alcohol, are under 50 kg, are elderly, or are on other medicines that also contain paracetamol.
  • You are taking combination cold/flu or pain products (they often already include paracetamol, so it’s easy to accidentally overdose).

When it becomes dangerous

  • Taking more than 4,000 mg (8 × 500 mg tablets) in 24 hours increases the risk of serious liver damage, even if you feel fine at first.
  • Repeatedly taking high doses over several days can also damage the liver, not just one big overdose.

Symptoms of overdose can be mild or absent at first (maybe just nausea or feeling unwell), but serious liver injury can develop hours to days later , so medical teams treat paracetamol overdose very seriously.

If you might have taken too many

If any of these apply, go to A &E / ER or call your local emergency/poison service immediately, even if you feel okay:

  • You took more than 8 × 500 mg tablets in 24 hours , or
  • You took a large one‑off dose (for example 10 or more tablets at once), or
  • You are not sure how many you took or you mixed several different medicines that may contain paracetamol.

Do not wait for symptoms; doctors can often prevent serious liver damage if they treat you early.

Simple example schedule (for a typical adult)

If your doctor has not told you otherwise and you have no liver or alcohol problems:

  • 1,000 mg (two 500 mg tablets) at 8:00
  • 1,000 mg at 12:00
  • 1,000 mg at 16:00
  • 1,000 mg at 20:00

That would be the maximum for 24 hours (8 tablets total), and you should not go above this.

If this question is about you or someone you’re with and you think the limit may have been exceeded, treat it as urgent and contact medical services or a poison centre now. Information here is general and cannot replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist.