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What are the Signs of a Paracetamol Overdose?

Deborah Walker
Deborah Walker

The biggest signs of paracetamol overdose are nausea, vomiting, uncontrollable sweatiness, and skin pallor. Exactly how much of the drug a person has to take to experience these effects depends in part of his or her own body chemistry, and it’s often the case that overdose symptoms don’t surface right away; it can take a few hours or even a day or more. A lot of this has to do with how the medication is broken down and processed by the body. People who overdose with some regularity run the risk of seriously damaging their livers and causing internal scarring along the digestive tract. As liver function becomes more compromised, jaundice, confusion, and loss of consciousness are possible. Death from paracetamol overdose is relatively uncommon, but has happened.

Drug Basics

The generic version of paracetamol is known as acetaminophen.
The generic version of paracetamol is known as acetaminophen.

Paracetamol is an over-the-counter (OTC) generic pain reliever for adults and children. In many places, including the US and the UK, paracetamol is sold generically as acetaminophen. Tylenol® and Panadol® are two of the most common brand name versions available in some parts of the world. Paracetamol can usually be purchased in tablet, capsule, liquid, or suppository formulations, and it may also be administered intravenously or intramuscularly by qualified medical personnel.

Understanding Overdoses

Confusion is one symptom of a paracetamol overdose.
Confusion is one symptom of a paracetamol overdose.

As far as painkillers go, it isn’t usually considered to be very strong, and as such minor overdoses aren’t usually big causes for concern. Healthcare providers generally recommend that adults take one or two 500 milligram pills every four to six hours for pain relief, and no more than 4000 milligrams should typically be taken in any 24-hour period. Children's doses are based on body weight at 2 teaspoons per 2.2 pounds (10 milligrams per kilogram) every four to six hours.

Abdominal pain may be a sign of a paracetamol overdose.
Abdominal pain may be a sign of a paracetamol overdose.

Taking more than 7000 milligrams of this medication is likely to result in an overdose. The precise amount may vary somewhat depending upon the person's overall health and any other medications he or she is taking. A person in poor health, someone on multiple medications, or someone who is alcoholic may have an overdose threshold of less than 7000 milligrams.

Initial Symptoms

A paracetamol overdose may cause impaired liver functioning.
A paracetamol overdose may cause impaired liver functioning.

During the first 12-24 hours following a paracetamol overdose, there may be no symptoms, but many people experience nausea, vomiting, excessive sweating, and paleness. As the liver metabolizes the drug, other symptoms might also appear. These may include jaundice, which is a yellowing of the skin; abdominal pain; and confusion. In most cases these will go away on their own as the medication processes out of the system, but they can be very disorienting and uncomfortable.

Prolonged Exposure

People who repeatedly overdose, or overdose with some regularity, often have longer-lasting and more serious effects. It’s usually the case that reactions get increasingly bad. Digestive problems are some of the most common, since repeated swallowing of pills and breakdown of the drug’s compounds can erode the lining of the stomach and intestine over time. Decreased liver function, kidney failure, and prolonged loss of consciousness can also happen in extreme cases. The final stages of a paracetamol overdose are usually marked by multiple organ failure, low blood sugar, coagulation problems, sepsis, brain swelling, and in many cases death. Death doesn’t usually come quickly, though. No matter how much paracetamol someone has taken, he or she is not likely to die in less than five days.

Importance of Swift Treatment

Once an overdose has happened or is suspected, it’s really important that treatment start right away. In the best of all circumstances, this would be within 8-12 hours of the overdose. Treatment must usually be administered in a hospital or other staffed medical clinic. Activated charcoal, gastric lavage, and ipecac syrup may all be part of the treatment and can help minimize the drug’s absorption. In most cases, the liver and other organs will heal within several weeks to a few months after the incident.

Discussion Comments

discographer

Since it's so easy for people to get to paracetamol, it is one of the most commonly abused drugs. Many people attempt suicide with it and some don't get to a hospital in time.

The body does try to limit the damage from paracetamol poisoning through vomiting but it's not enough. Many people survive, but do suffer from kidney damage or other organ damage and might have to live with that for the rest of their life.

candyquilt

@MikeMason-- Technically, you haven't overdosed. However, if you continue to have paracetamol overdose symptoms, you might want to see a doctor to make sure.

Adults can generally take these doses without problems, especially if four to six hours passed in between. However, in some people with kidney problems, the medication can remain in the body longer than usual potentially leading to overdose.

Doctors always make sure their patients do not have kidney issue before telling them to take paracetamol and similar drugs. But sometimes, a kidney problem can go unnoticed. It's better to be safe than sorry.

stoneMason

I took four 500 milligrams of paracetamol today. I know this is still within the allowed amount but I've been feeling nauseated and dizzy.

Is it possible for the recommended dose to be too much for some people? Should I go to the hospital?

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    • The generic version of paracetamol is known as acetaminophen.
      By: Anita P Peppers
      The generic version of paracetamol is known as acetaminophen.
    • Confusion is one symptom of a paracetamol overdose.
      By: chuugo
      Confusion is one symptom of a paracetamol overdose.
    • Abdominal pain may be a sign of a paracetamol overdose.
      By: sframe
      Abdominal pain may be a sign of a paracetamol overdose.
    • A paracetamol overdose may cause impaired liver functioning.
      By: acherst
      A paracetamol overdose may cause impaired liver functioning.