I don't think you wake up if you are dead.

So I've got a bunch of professionals running around going "it just IS" in my response to crazy wrong person. I don't know where she's getting her info which is making it hard to tell her she's wrong. And she's NOT an undergrad. Forking professor.

And there is a bird hovering outside my window, staring in. While this is cool, it is also a little odd.

Am I crazy that I figure doubling up any OTC drug one time is pretty much OK?

Well....

Speaking VERY generally, and bearing in mind that even though I've been editing pharmacy research for 10 years I'm not actually a pharmacist --

Basically, if a person without any underlying health conditions takes a double dose of an OTC drug, they won't die, and probably won't have any long-term adverse effects.

But some drugs should not be taken with other drugs, and can, in fact, kill your ass dead. And some drugs should not be taken if you have a particular illness (pseudoephedrine, in a lot of decongestants, can raise the heart rate, which could be a problem for patients with high blood pressure or certain kinds of heart disease).

And obviously doubling up on those drugs can increase the risk.

So if you feel compelled to take handfuls of pills, make them placebos, okay? (Motto -- "Placebo: It's a Pill!")

Candy has more sugar than placebos.

So if you feel compelled to take handfuls of pills, make them placebos, okay? (Motto -- "Placebo: It's a Pill!")

Har.

The fact is, I don't take a lot of drugs of any kind, anyway. Even when I probably should, like for colds and such. So I'm probably not the Buffista Most Likely To OD.

I'm probably not the Buffista Most Likely To OD.

That's your problem -- you need to set goals! If you really put your mind to it, you CAN be the Buffista Most Likely to OD. I know you can!

Am I crazy that I figure doubling up any OTC drug one time is pretty much OK?

The one I'm very wary of is Tylenol/acetaminaphine (sp?) becuase it takes very little over normal dose (or in conjunction with things like alchohol) to cause liver damage.

Sadly, the OTC alternatives can do horrible things to your stomach lining even in normal doses, but I'll risk my stomach over my liver any day.

I've heard that ibuprofen's been linked to heart problems. Since it's my cramp and headache drug of choice I'm kinda bummed. I'm wondering if it's a case of large quantities, taken over long periods (so to speak), causing the problems, rather than occasional "Ow, crap, where's the pills" usage.

When I had the pseudo-flu thing, I was careful to get cold medicine with acetaminaphin because I usually take ibuprofin, and figured I was safer with the two different types.

So, result of conference call is no further action. Do I still charge for the >hour I spent on the project? Hmm.

Yes.

I'm home, Zankoued and flexoriled. Now to lie in front of the TiVoed Wimbledon.

Last time my friend Paul, AKA Crush Guy, or Hottie Editor, was ill, he told me a story like that. About drinking a whole bottle of fricking NyQuil and taking something else, I told him that. He's a buffy fan. He got it. His recuperations are a little...xtreme for my personal comfort, though, still.