Recommended paracetamol dose in adults = 4g or 75mg/kg in 24h. Overdose = ingestion >75mg/kg. > 150mg/kg = Lethal.
Paracetamol is a common painkiller that is normally safe. If you take more than the recommended amount (an overdose), it can harm the liver, and occasionally the kidneys.
Serious toxicity may occur in patients who have ingested > 150 mg/kg in any 24 hour period. Rarely, toxicity may occur for ingestions between 75-150 mg/kg. Doses consistently < 75 mg/kg in any 24 hour period are unlikely to be toxic.
The threshold for potential paracetamol-induced hepatic injury in adults is >10g or >200 mg/kg (whichever is less) within 24 hours. So, 10g is the toxic dose for all those heavier than 50kg.
Paracetamol overdose can result in liver damage and, at very high dosages, can be fatal.
If you take too much
Taking 1 or 2 extra tablets is unlikely to harm you. Do not take more than 8 tablets in 24 hours. Taking too much paracetamol can be dangerous and you may need treatment. Too much paracetamol can cause liver damage.
However, repeatedly taking more than the recommended dose or overdosing on paracetamol can cause serious injury to the liver and even death. The recommended maximum dose of paracetamol for an adult (or child over 12 years) is 4g in any 24-hour period (equivalent to 8 x 500mg tablets).
Summary. Paracetamol overdose may occur after excessive ingestion of paracetamol or paracetamol-containing medication as an acute or staggered overdose, or therapeutic excess. Patients are often asymptomatic or have only mild gastrointestinal symptoms at initial presentation.
Taking more than five medications is called polypharmacy. The risk of harmful effects, drug interactions and hospitalizations increase when you take more medications.
Some people feel sick, vomit or have abdominal (tummy) pain after taking too much paracetamol, but often there are no obvious symptoms at first. Go to A&E even if you're feeling well.
As for Paracetamol of 500mg per tablet, it is generally recommended to take no more than 8 tablets (500mg) within 24 hours, and 24 to 30 tablets taken at one time can lead to overdose or even death. Not sufficient time between doses or high amount of tablets taken at one time may lead to a fatal overdose.
Abdominal (stomach) pain, nausea, vomiting (sickness). Yellow discoloration of the skin or whites of the eyes (jaundice). Severe headache, confusion or drowsiness. Passing no urine at all for the past eight hours.
Paracetamol toxicity is one of the most common causes of poisoning worldwide. In the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, paracetamol is the most common cause of drug overdoses.
The more meds you take, the higher the risk of harmful drug interactions. Having multiple meds in your system can cause them to work differently than they're supposed to—and may even make them less effective.
A person's condition can deteriorate rapidly during an overdose, so seeking emergency help is always recommended — even if they do not appear to be severely overdosing. If you or someone you know is using a specific drug, you should be familiar with the overdose symptoms of that drug.
Liver damage can happen within a few days of paracetamol overdose. The symptoms and signs of liver damage include: Nausea. Vomiting.
If you take too much Paracetamol your liver may not be able to metabolise it efficiently and this could make you extremely unwell. Paracetamol overdose can lead to liver failure in some people and this is why you need to take careful note of this advice.
HEPATOTOXICITY RISK FACTORS
While acute liver injury can occur when used at or below the recommended daily maximum dose (4000 mg)[4], paracetamol toxicity is often the result of ingestion of paracetamol over this maximum dose.
The maximum daily dose of Paracetamol must not exceed 3000 mg. Take 500 mg at a time, up to 2000 mg per 24 hours. The daily dose must not exceed 2000 mg.
Reversing liver damage Liver Basics
For example, an overdose of acetaminophen (Tylenol) can destroy half of a person's liver cells in less than a week. Barring complications, the liver can repair itself completely and, within a month, the patient will show no signs of damage.
Acute liver failure can happen in as little as 48 hours. It's important to seek medical treatment at the first signs of trouble.
The maximum dose within a 24-hour period must never be exceeded. Paracetamol overdose is one of the leading causes of acute liver failure. Adults can usually take one or two 500mg tablets every 4-6 hours, but shouldn't take more than 4g (eight 500mg tablets) in the space of 24 hours.
Taking more, especially 7,000 mg or more, can lead to a severe overdose problems. If you have liver or kidney disease, you should discuss the use of this drug with your health care provider.
A large overdose can cause a person to stop breathing and die if not treated right away. The person may need to be admitted to the hospital to continue treatment. Depending on the drug, or drugs taken, multiple organs may be affected. This may affect the person's outcome and chances of survival.