Acetaminophen Overdose

Acetaminophen is one the most common and frequently used OTC drugs, known as
Tylenol. It is also present other medications like anacin-3, liquiporin, panadol, tempra,
and various other cold/flu medications. So, toxicity can easily occur when combining
Tylenol with such medications or overdosing it, because people usually do not read the
labels carefully and are unaware that acetaminophen in present in many other
medications. Acetaminophen overdose can lead to serious consequences like liver
damage and death.

Regulated by the FDA
FDA is concerned about the incidents of acetaminophen overdose in the recent years and
placed regulations on companies to place labels about acetaminophen content in all
medications.
Dr. William Lee of Texas Southern Medical Center in Dallas, in his survey tracked 300
cases of acute liver failure at 22 hospitals to which 38% was linked to acetaminophen
overdose.

Causes

A. Taking acetaminophen in combination with more than 3 alcoholic drinks a day.

B. Varying dosing schedules and formulations of recommended drug in infants and         
   children.

 C. Combining it with other medications that contain acetaminophen as one of their drugs.

Signs and Symptoms:
Initial symptoms may be flu-like, so doctors may not be prompt for overdose treatment.
Other symptoms include -sudden fever, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea,
irritability, jaundice, sweating, coma, and/or convulsions.

Treatment

Symptoms do not occur until 12 or more hours after acetaminophen consumption.:
Require immediate assisteance to the emergency, within 8 hours.

Prognosis
If not treated, overdose can lead to LIVER FAILURE and DEATH.