Paracetamol overdose? my girlfriend took 8 paracetamol tablets yersterday morning, 6 more this morning?

Question

is this an overdose, i dont know how many u meant to have, last night she started geting sharp pains in her abs, im worried about her, help.

Answer 1

phone nhs direct 0845 4647

Answer 2

She will not die from this, but she will have bad stomach pains, like you are describing.

It is not necessary to go to hospital unless you are concerned that she is very ill - she just needs to stop taking so many and put her head down and make sure she doesn't drink any alcohol.

The pains should subside within 24 hours.

Why has she taken so many? Is she trying to kill herself? It is impossible to die from 14 tablets, don't worry about it.

You would usually need at least near enough 100 + plus some alcohol for it to cause serious problems and even death.

Hope you sort the stuff out.

Call NHS Direct for free advice like the person above recommended.

Good luck.

Answer 3

8 X 500mg paracetamols per day is the guide line amount you can take. Long term affects should be monitored, but it may be OK. I have disc problems (lower spine) i take 600mg of Gabapentin 3 times a day, and also 50mg Zomorph 2 times aday. i also take paracetamols when needed along with senna and ranitadine which is for stomach problems.Paracetamol alone is not strong enough for medium to severe pain. You need to speak to your GP.

Answer 4

Read the leaflet that comes with the box od tablets more than likely it says if you exceed the stated dose consult your doctor. This is on the leaflet for a reason it is very dangerous to exceed the dosage advised. Your girlfriend has taken 14 paracetomol tablets in probably just 24 hours. Phone your local doctor or clinic and explain the suituation and see what they say.

Answer 5

You should get her to hospital. This is an overdose, taking above the recommended limit is an overdose.
The paracetamol will still be in her system, after 2 hours they cant pump your stomach or anything.

Answer 6

Take her to the Emergency Room or call the NHS help line. paracetamol is a horrible thing to OD on and you dont need that many to do so. This is very serious.

Answer 7

Why did she do this? And then again this morning? Is she ill or does she just want to be the centre of attention? She can make the decision herself whether or not to go to the docs can't she? I assume she has enough brain cells to make an assessment of herself. Why doesn't someone take the tabs away so she can't get at them. What's wrong with you lot?

Answer 8

8 all in one go is rather a lot why did she need to do this?she ought to go and get a blood test as paracetamol overdose is a funny thing it doesnt kill you straight away it gives you liver failure a few days later.DO NOT let her take anymore

Answer 9

its not a serious overdose, i.e it couldnt kill her, but it could do some damage to her kidneys. you should never take more than 2 paracetamol at once. best to go to the doctor. if she was in serious pain and thats why she took them, she could take paracetamol and ibuprofen together and thats not dangerous.

Answer 10

get her to A&E NOW!!! she needs urgent attention...paracetamol can damage internal organs permenantly. i took an overdose many years ago and i still have problems with my kidneys, i also can no longer take anything but a bare minimum of paracetamol as it makes me come out in a rash and vomit!!!

Answer 11

Liver damage is possible in adults who have taken 10g or more of paracetamol. Ingestion of 5g or more of paracetamol may lead to liver damage if the patient has risk factors (see below).

Risk factors
If the patient
a, Is on long term treatment with carbamazepine, phenobarbitone, phenytoin, primidone, rifampicin, St John’s Wort or other drugs that induce liver enzymes.
Or
b, Regularly consumes ethanol in excess of recommended amounts.
Or
c, Is likely to be glutathione deplete e.g. eating disorders, cystic fibrosis, HIV infection, starvation, cachexia.

Symptoms
Symptoms of paracetamol overdosage in the first 24 hours are pallor, nausea, vomiting, anorexia and abdominal pain. Liver damage may become apparent 12 to 48 hours after ingestion. Abnormalities of glucose metabolism and metabolic acidosis may occur. In severe poisoning, hepatic failure may progress to encephalopathy, haemorrhage, hypoglycaemia, cerebral oedema, and death. Acute renal failure with acute tubular necrosis, strongly suggested by loin pain, haematuria and proteinuria, may develop even in the absence of severe liver damage. Cardiac arrhythmias and pancreatitis have been reported.

Management
Immediate treatment is essential in the management of paracetamol overdose. Despite a lack of significant early symptoms, patients should be referred to hospital urgently for immediate medical attention. Symptoms may be limited to nausea or vomiting and may not reflect the severity of overdose or the risk of organ damage. Management should be in accordance with established treatment guidelines, see BNF overdose section.

Treatment with activated charcoal should be considered if the overdose has been taken within 1 hour. Plasma paracetamol concentration should be measured at 4 hours or later after ingestion (earlier concentrations are unreliable). Treatment with N-acetylcysteine may be used up to 24 hours after ingestion of paracetamol, however, the maximum protective effect is obtained up to 8 hours post-ingestion. The effectiveness of the antidote declines sharply after this time. If required the patient should be given intravenous N-acetylcysteine, in line with the established dosage schedule. If vomiting is not a problem, oral methionine may be a suitable alternative for remote areas, outside hospital. Management of patients who present with serious hepatic dysfunction beyond 24h from ingestion should be discussed with the NPIS or a liver unit.