The doctor will attempt to determine the time and amount of acetaminophen taken. Your doctor will diagnose acetaminophen overdose with the following methods: If a child took acetaminophen without adult supervision and may have taken an overdose, seek immediate medical attention. Seek emergency care if you are unsure of the types and amounts of medication taken. Go to the hospital's emergency department if the poison control center tells you to go. If the person suspected to have taken an overdose of acetaminophen is unconscious, semiconscious, or not breathing, call 911 immediately. ![]() Seek emergency medical care at a hospital's emergency department in the following situations: Starting treatment early can greatly improve the outcome. Overall it is important that anyone suspected to have taken an overdose of acetaminophen get treatment early, before symptoms occur. You must call a doctor, a poison control center, or emergency medical services for any suspected acetaminophen overdose. You may remain symptom-free for up to 24 hours after taking a toxic overdose of acetaminophen.Īfter this initial period, the following symptoms are common: Soon after taking an overdose of acetaminophen, you may have no symptoms from taking a toxic amount. Long-term use of acetaminophen in recommended doses has not been shown to be harmful to the liver.Īcetaminophen (Tylenol) Poisoning Symptoms The FDA currently recommends that anyone taking medications that contain acetaminophen should not drink alcoholic beverages. For this reason, people with liver illnesses or people who chronically consume large amounts of alcohol should be particularly careful when taking acetaminophen and should consult their doctor prior to taking acetaminophen compounds. If the liver is already damaged because of infection, alcohol abuse, or other illness, a person may be more susceptible to damage from acetaminophen overdose. Too much acetaminophen can overwhelm the way the liver normally functions. Illness from acetaminophen overdose is caused primarily by liver damage.Īcetaminophen is primarily metabolized by the liver. For this reason, it is absolutely necessary that acetaminophen poisoning be recognized, diagnosed, and treated as early as possible. Indeed, NAC can prevent liver failure if given early enough. It is most effective when given within eight hours of ingesting acetaminophen. The antidote to acetaminophen overdose is N- acetylcysteine (NAC). ![]() If the damage is severe, a liver transplant may be necessary in order to save someone’s life. Acetaminophen is in Actifed, Alka-Seltzer Plus, Benadryl, Co- Gesic, Contac, Excedrin, Fioricet, Lortab, Midrin, Norco, Percocet, Robitussin, Sedapap, Sinutab, Sudafed, TheraFlu, Unisom PM Pain, Vick's Nyquil and DayQuil, Vicodin, and Zydone.Īcetaminophen in overdose can seriously damage the liver. It is also found in many other over-the-counter medications and in prescription drugs. Unless otherwise directed by your care provider, the usual maximum recommended dose is 3 grams in 24 hours.Īcetaminophen is the active ingredient in Tylenol. However, if taken in excess amounts (overdose, whether on purpose or by accident), acetaminophen can cause life-threatening illness. Over many years, it has been used countless times by many people, and it has proven to be a safe and effective medication. It is used for the treatment of pain and to lower fever. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) Poisoning OverviewĪcetaminophen is one of the most common medications found in households.
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