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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Overdosed On Paracetamol. Did Anything Wrong Happen?

A few days a go I took a 32 paracetamol and ended up in hosp on 3 drips the first one was for 1hour the 2nd for 4 hours and the third for 16 hours, I finished the corse of medicine and discharged myself from hospital, the nurse seemed to think the meds worked but now am worried just incase something was wrong what do you think?
Wed, 20 Mar 2013
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi, Paracetamol is a pain killer & is comparitively safer in therapeutic doses. But overdose results in serious toxicity. Ingestion of excess Paracetamol causes liver damage. Early treatment is vital in preventing the organ damage & in saving the individual.
Activated charcoal should be given within 4 hours of ingestion of Paracetamol to prevent its absorption.
N-acetyl cysteine is the specific treatment for Paracetamol poisoning & it prevents liver damage & saves the person.
Rash, nausea, vomiting & diarrhoea can occur following N-acetyl cysteine treatment but jaundice indicates liver damage induced by Paracetamol. Gastric irritation (gastritis) induced by such heavy dose of Paracetamol can be treated by anti ulcer drugs like Rabiprazole. But before taking Rabiprazole liver damage should be ruled out.
Liver function test will indicate if there is any residual liver damage.Liver function tests like AST, ALT, Serum bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, total proteins, A/G ratio will help to assess the extent of liver damage. So, pl. get liver function test done immediately.
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Overdosed On Paracetamol. Did Anything Wrong Happen?

Hi, Paracetamol is a pain killer & is comparitively safer in therapeutic doses. But overdose results in serious toxicity. Ingestion of excess Paracetamol causes liver damage. Early treatment is vital in preventing the organ damage & in saving the individual. Activated charcoal should be given within 4 hours of ingestion of Paracetamol to prevent its absorption. N-acetyl cysteine is the specific treatment for Paracetamol poisoning & it prevents liver damage & saves the person. Rash, nausea, vomiting & diarrhoea can occur following N-acetyl cysteine treatment but jaundice indicates liver damage induced by Paracetamol. Gastric irritation (gastritis) induced by such heavy dose of Paracetamol can be treated by anti ulcer drugs like Rabiprazole. But before taking Rabiprazole liver damage should be ruled out. Liver function test will indicate if there is any residual liver damage.Liver function tests like AST, ALT, Serum bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, total proteins, A/G ratio will help to assess the extent of liver damage. So, pl. get liver function test done immediately.