Acetaminophen overdose

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

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Acetaminophen overdose

Definition:

Poisoning from an overdose of acetaminophen.

Alternative Names:

Tylenol overdose; Paracetamol overdose

Where Found:

Tylenol
Anacin-3
Liquiprin
Panadol
Percocet
Tempra

Note: This list is not all inclusive.

Commonly found dosage forms and strengths:

Suppository: 120 mg, 125 mg, 325 mg, 650 mg
Chewable tablets: 80 mg
Junior tablets: 160 mg
Regular strength: 325 mg
Extra strength: 500 mg
Liquid: 160 mg/ teaspoon
Drops: 100 mg/mL, 120 mg/2.5 mL

Symptoms:

Body as a whole
- Sweating
- Convulsions
- Abdominal pain
Gastrointestinal
- Diarrhea
- Upset stomach
- Appetite loss
- Nausea and/or vomiting
Nervous system
- Irritability
- Coma

Note: Symptoms may be delayed for 12 or more hours after the acetaminophen was swallowed.

Home Treatment:

There is no home treatment. Contact Poison Control immediately if someone has consumed an overdose of acetamenophen: 1-800-222-1222.

Extreme overdose of acetomenophen can lead to death in several days but can be treated effectively if rapid treatment is administered.

Before Calling Emergency:

Determine the following information:

The patient's age, weight, and condition
The name of the product (ingredients and strengths if known)
The time it was swallowed
The amount swallowed

Poison Control, or a local emergency number:

The Poison Control or local emergency telephone representative will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. The national Poison Control hotline can be reached at 1-800-222-1222.

Take the container with you to the emergency room.

What to expect at the emergency room:

Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

Administer activated charcoal.
Administer a laxative.
Monitor blood levels of acetaminophen.
Depending on blood levels, administer an antidote over a period of several days.
Treat the symptoms.

Expectations (prognosis):

Prognosis is related to the amount of acetamenophen ingested and how soon treatment is started. If treatment is started within 8 hours of ingestion, or a less than toxic dose is ingested, there is a very good chance of recovery.

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