Overdose...?

Question

I took 30 acetaminophen [tylenol] tablets with codeine in them...do you think it's okay to just sleep it off?

Together is was acetaminophen - 9750mg, caffeine - 450mg, codeine - 240mg.

Has anyone else done this? I'm not going to the hospital.

It would take about 76 of those pills to kill me, i won't die, i'm not that lucky.

Answer 1

If, in fact you have actually done what you say you did, you should get to a hospital ASAP!!!!!!!!
Don't be silly, go get help!

UPDATE: Just for the record, after I read and responded to this post, I did a lot of internet searching and found out her name where she lives, and a couple of possible addresses for her. I then proceeded to cal her local police department and I gave them the info that I gathered. I just called the police dept. back tonight 10/3/06, and they said that they did find her, however, they would not tell me if it was a real emergency or a prank. I don't know the protocol for these situations, but with the potenial of a person dying on my conscience, I did what I thought was the right thing to do.

Answer 2

You have already heard from people and 2 other nurses about the damage that the meds you took can do. So there is no need in repeating what has been said already..liver failure and so forth. I am here to add to it that I know from personal experience and from my nursing experience the horrors I have seen.

My middle brother lost his ficacee' 3 years ago when she overdosed on Tylenol #3 and on Klonpin. She laid down to sleep and never woke up again..but my brother noticed she wasn't right and called 911. She was still alive and she was rushed to ER and stomach was pumped, etc. The acetaminophen blood level was so high, that every time is was drawn it was higher each time! There guessed maybe 40 pills at most b/c this was all her Rx has all together!? But the damage was already done..her liver was damaged, her other organs were failing, lungs failed>she was on a breathing machine. And her kidneys failed her to. The parents decided to pull the plug the 2 days later on Tammy. She left behind a 11 year old daughter,>My neice, Brandi. She is almost 15 now. But it was the sadest (next to my mom and a son I had to bury) funeral's I had to go to ever!.
Please don't let this be your funeral to!

I have also seen patients in my hospital. I have worked in the ER, the Mental part call Life Works, CCU, PEDS, Just about everywhere! I have seen ppl they have been depressed and have done things to harm themsevles that I don't know. Slice their wrists..hang themselves..jump off a building and survive! Live is worth living..Anything that goes into your body can do harm; and I know you don't want that. Think! Don't let your family greive for you..and leave them to pick up the pieces; which isn't fair on them either! It took along time for my brother to move on with his life after Tammy. It really hurt him. Think of what this will do to others and not think of "just you"..ok?

Answer 3

You took an overdose and thats very serious. It dosent matter how many you take its different for every person, Any amount is dangerous in overdose and you should go to hospital right away.

You need to talk to someone as to why you took the overdose. From what you say it dosent seem like you want to die. But its still very concerning and you need to get some support.

Please dont take any more tablets its very very risky and it could be very serious. Remember if you do attempt suicide its a permanemt solution to a temporary problem. Theres always help so please seek it.

Answer 4

Listen up, I am a nurse first off.

Taking that much tylenol can be deadly. If not immediately it will damage your liver enought that in the future you may develop serious problems. You need to go to the emergency room now or call someone to take you. No joke. Your liver could fail.

http://www.ecureme.com/emyhealth/data/Tylenol_Overdose.asp

10 grams equal 10000 mg's, close to the dose you took. Note how it may take up to 48 hours before organ failure sets in. Without a doubt if you do not get medical treatment you will damage your liver detrimentally.

Now the codeine in that amount could cause your respiratory rate to slow down to dangerous levels, if you fall asleep you may not wake up, seriously. If you are serious and you just took this you need to go to the hospital, now.

Answer 5

I did something similar 30 years ago (no codeine) my stomach has never been the same,recurring stomach pain, ulcers. And yes too much acetaminophen can damage the liver. go see a doctor or at least call poison control and tell them. Get help today and every day until you value yourself.

Answer 6

You probably did serious injury to your liver from the acetaminophen, and the codeine is a narcotic which means you could stop breathing if you go to sleep. The hospital can administer something to counteract the narcotic and keep you alive. Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Reconsider calling 911.

Answer 7

If you already have your mind made up not to go to the hospital why are you posting the question... your only other choice would be to sleep it off...

You may want to get your liver checked out soon though... if you don't die from an overdoes you will die from a lack of liver functioning. Acetaminophen rips through your liver like a knife... just one extra pill can damage your liver... I can't imagine what 30 would do

Answer 8

Even though acetaminophen seems and tastes like a harmless medicine, it definitely is NOT. It is very capable of destroying your liver, causing the need for a liver transplant, or killing you. You are a damned fool if you don't go to an emergency room IMMEDIATELY. You should know that an acetaminophen OD, especially if treated early, is usually treated quite successfully.

Answer 9

I took more than that many once but my stomach was paralyzed so I only got a minimal dose. I was still had to spend several days in the hospital clearing the acetaminophen from my system. It's dangerous stuff; severe liver damage isn't pretty. Go to the hospital.

Answer 10

tylenol can cause serious damage to your liver and since it's got the codeine in it .. i'd suggest going to the ER. the toxicity of the drugs in your system could cause other problems aside from the liver issues ... you could have some other kind of reaction to the codeine.

i'm not going to ask you why you did what you did .. i'm really happy that you changed your mind and posted about it. please go to the ER .... so you can be sure that you don't have any other adverse reaction to the drugs.

email me if you need to talk.