Paracetamol App

Paracetamol Overdose Symptoms and What to Do Immediately

Paracetamol Overdose: A Medical Emergency

Taking too much paracetamol (acetaminophen) can cause severe, potentially irreversible liver damage, liver failure, and can be fatal. Paracetamol overdose requires immediate hospital treatment, even if the person feels well initially.

Causes of Overdose

Paracetamol overdose can happen accidentally or intentionally:

  • Acute Overdose: Taking significantly more than the recommended single dose at one time.
  • Staggered Overdose: Taking slightly more than the recommended dose repeatedly over several hours or days (e.g., taking doses too close together, exceeding the maximum daily limit over time). This can be just as dangerous.
  • Accidental Double-Dosing: Taking multiple different products that contain paracetamol without realizing it (common in cold and flu remedies).
  • Intentional Overdose: Deliberately taking a large amount of paracetamol.

Symptoms of Overdose

Symptoms of paracetamol overdose may not appear for several hours, or even a couple of days, after the overdose has occurred. Do not wait for symptoms to develop before seeking help. Initial symptoms can be mild and non-specific.

  • Early Symptoms (within the first 24 hours): These may be absent, mild, or include:
    • Nausea (feeling sick)
    • Vomiting
    • Loss of appetite
    • Abdominal pain (often in the upper right side, where the liver is)
    • Sweating
    • General feeling of being unwell (malaise)
  • Later Symptoms (24-72 hours onwards, indicating liver damage):
    • Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice)
    • Tenderness or pain in the liver area (upper right abdomen)
    • Confusion or drowsiness
    • Dark urine or decreased urine output (indicating kidney problems)
    • Unusual bleeding or bruising

What To Do Immediately

If you suspect someone has taken too much paracetamol, act immediately:

  1. Go directly to the nearest hospital emergency department (A&E). Do this immediately, even if the person seems perfectly well and has no symptoms. Time is critical.
  2. Do not try to treat the overdose at home.
  3. Take the paracetamol packaging (and any other medication packaging involved) with you to the hospital, if possible. This helps doctors determine the dose taken.
  4. Tell the medical staff exactly what was taken, how much (even if estimated), and when it was taken. This information is vital for effective treatment.
  5. Do not induce vomiting unless specifically instructed to do so by emergency medical professionals.

Treatment, often involving an antidote called N-acetylcysteine (NAC), is most effective when started within 8-10 hours of the overdose. The sooner treatment begins, the better the chance of preventing serious liver damage.

Prevention

  • Always follow dosage instructions carefully on the product label or from your doctor/pharmacist.
  • Know the maximum daily dose for adults and children and do not exceed it.
  • Keep track of doses: Note the time you take each dose to avoid taking the next one too soon.
  • Check ingredients: Always check the labels of other medications (especially cold/flu remedies) to see if they also contain paracetamol.
  • Store paracetamol safely: Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children. Consider locked storage.