Paracetamol overdose

[Fiszi]

Hi. I'm a little worried about my sister. She's been ill for a few days with a nasty cold and last night went out and got very drunk. She said this morning she thinks she took 3 paracetamol instead of 2 because she couldn't count - she was out of it! Then she's had 2 flu drinks containing the equivilant of another 4 tablets all together and I think they were only taken about 3 hours apart. Will she be ok?

[laurence2]

She will be fine, but she does need to learn to count

[petes_dragon]

shouldn't cause any problems, she'll be fine - she may just be a bit 'spaced out' for a bit - but, don't take any more for at least the next 4 hours or so!

A xXx

[nursecarla]

She will be fine just be careful with things like lemsip etc they are a lot stronger than you would imagine xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Fiszi]

lol, yeah thats what she took - 2 lemon sip. Can't see how she can stand them. I'd rather suffer. I told her not to have anymore today but I get really worried because shes very slim so I'd imagine she can't metabolize it that quickly and with her alcohol consumption last night, her liver must be working overtime. I just hope thats all she took and she hasn't taken anymore but forgot.

[drestie]

OK, I do not want to unnecessarily alarm you, but paracetamol overdose (even a small one) can cause acute liver toxicity. She needs to speak to or be seen by a doctor immediately. The effects can take hours or days to appear, and by then it can be too late. I would not risk it if it were me.

[keithlbw]

drestie ...you are being too alarmist , one extra paracetamol will not lead to liver toxiticy,

[Eve]

Try ringing NHS Direct - 0845 46 47

[havinmysay]

i always take 3 paracetamol i find that 2 dont work for me

[drestie]

Yes, but the equivalent of 7 (or more) could.

[nursecarla]

Only if taken together drestie xxxxxxxx

[drestie]

Yes, but if she is unsure of how many she took, you know that they can do a blood test in the hospital to determine the exact amount of acetaminophen in the blood stream and can administer NAC if necessary. As a nurse, you know that any suspected paracetamol overdose, especially one where the exact amount ingested is unknown, should be treated as an emergency and evaluated by a physician. I am sure she will be fine, but you should contact a doctor and discuss it to be safe. Like I said, symptoms of paracetamol poisoning may take 24 hours to appear, at which point it may be too late to do anything. If you have any real reason to believe that more than just a few tablets were taken, please get her checked out.

[Fiszi]

Well I called NHS Direct as suggested. They're very good. Said that if she's gone over the ammount shes allowed for one day by just a couple then she should be fine.

[nursecarla]

:)))))))))) x x x x x x

[bednobs]

i know you have your answer but i just wanted to say i read an article the other day, think it was bmj of a rct involving paracetamol which showed that 1.5 grams (3 stanadard tablet) was more effective and no more harmful than 2. you would have to look at the total amount taken in 24 hours, but if its less than 4 gm she should be ok

[Catso]

Aren't they sold in packets of no more than 16, because that number wouldn't be fatal if taken all at once?