| Definition: |
This poisoning is from an overdose of acetaminophen with codeine.
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| Alternative Names: |
Tylenol # 3
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| Poisonous Ingredient: |
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| Where Found: |
Note: This list may not be all inclusive.
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| Symptoms: |
- Respiratory
- Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
- Pinpoint pupils (from the codeine)
- Skin
- Gastrointestinal
- Spasms of the stomach and/or intestinal tract
- Vomiting
- Acetaminophen overdose over a certain toxic level leads to liver failure unless the antidote, N-Acetyl-cysteine, is given
- Heart and blood vessels
- Nervous system
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| Home Treatment: |
Seek emergency medical care immediately. Both Tylenol and codeine overdoses can be rapidly fatal. DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING.
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| Before Calling Emergency: |
Determine the following information:- The patient's age, weight, and condition
- The name of the product (as well as the ingredients and strength, if known)
- The time it was swallowed
- The amount swallowed
- If the medication was prescribed for the patient
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| Poison Control, or a local emergency number: |
See Poison Control Centers for telephone numbers and addresses. Take the container with you to the emergency room.
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| What to expect at the emergency room: |
- For swallowed poison
- Placement of a tube down the nose and into the stomach (a nasogastric tube, or an NG tube) to wash out the stomach (gastric lavage).
- Activated charcoal administration.
- Give IV fluids.
- Admission to the hospital.
- For Tylenol, N-Acetyl cysteine is given if the blood Tylenol level is high enough. Without the antidote, the patient has fatal liver failure.
- Treat the symptoms.
- Give a counteracting medication (narcotic antagonist). Multiple doses may be needed.
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| Expectations (prognosis): |
If an antidote can be given, recovery from an acute overdose often occurs within 24-48 hours.
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