Causes and Risks:
- acetaminophen toxic dose:
- children: 100 mg/lb.
- adults: 7.5 gms or more
Note: mg/lb. = milligrams per pound; gms = grams, 1 gm = 1,000 mg
Where Found:
- Tylenol
- Anacin-3
- Liquiprin
- Panadol
- Tempra
Note: This list may not be all inclusive.
Commonly found dosage forms and strengths:- suppository: 120 mg, 125 mg, 300 mg, 600 mg
- chewable tablets: 80 mg
- Jr. tablets: 160 mg
- regular strength: 325 mg
- extra strength: 500 mg
- elixir: 325 mg/teaspoon, 160 mg/teaspoon, 120 mg/ teaspoon
- liquid: 160 mg/ teaspoon, 130 mg/ teaspoon
- drops: 100 mg/ml, 120 mg/2.5 ml
Note: mg = milligrams; ml = milliliter
Symptoms:
- body as a whole
- gastrointestinal
- nervous system
Note: Symptoms may be delayed for 12 or more hours after the acetaminophen was swallowed.
Home Treatment: The normal treatment is to induce emesis (vomiting) unless the patient is unconscious or experiencing convulsions; however, before inducing emesis, contact Poison Control to verify that is the correct treatment.
If instructed to induce emesis, proceed as follows or as otherwise instructed:
Give the usual dose of ipecac syrup: 15 milliliters (ml) or 1 TABLEspoonful for children and 30 ml (2 TABLEspoonsful) for an adult. Follow with 1/2 glass or 4 ounces (oz.) of water for children or 8 to 12 oz. of water for adults. Repeat 1 more time in 1/2 hour if emesis has not occurred.
Before Calling Emergency: Determine the following information:
- the patient’s age, weight, and condition
- the name of the product (ingredients and strengths if known)
- the time it was swallowed
- the amount swallowed
Call Poison Control: They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses. Take the container with you to the emergency room.
What To Expect: Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:
- Induce emesis.
- Administer activated charcoal.
- Administer a laxative.
- Monitor blood levels of acetaminophen.
- Depending on blood levels, administer an antidote over a period of several days.
- Treat the symptoms.
After acute poisoning (overdose over a short period of time) survival beyond 4 days usually indicates recovery will occur. After chronic poisoning (overdose over a long period of time) recovery normally occurs.
