Tylenol Liver Damage (cont.)
Is overdose with acetaminophen usually
accidental or intentional?
In the U.S., suicide attempts account for over two thirds of
acetaminophen-related liver injury, whereas accidental overdose accounts for
only one third of the cases. In young children, accidental overdose accounts,
surprisingly, for an even lower percent of the cases. That is, among these
often-curious toddlers, accidental overdose is responsible for less than 10% of
the instances of acetaminophen toxicity. Moreover, the vast majority of these
accidental overdoses were due to unintentional overdoses given by the caregivers
of the children.
How can accidental overdose be avoided in
adults?
To avoid unintentional overdoses among adults, here are some
suggestions.
- Read the labels of the medication bottles carefully
and determine the amount or strength of acetaminophen in each pill or
spoonful.
- Become familiar with all of the other medications
that you are taking. Remember that over 200 drugs contain acetaminophen as one
of the ingredients and that certain drugs, such as phenobarbital, can
significantly increase liver damage.
- Before you take the medication, write down (record)
the maximum safe number of pills or spoonfuls that you can ingest over 24
hours. Stick to that quantity and do not deviate. If, however, you are unsure
of the safe number of doses or think that you need to take more than you
should, call your doctor or pharmacist.
- When you receive a prescription for a new medication,
ask your doctor or pharmacist whether it affects the body's metabolism
(processing) of the other medications that you are taking, including
acetaminophen.
- If you have been drinking alcohol regularly, do not
exceed taking 2 grams of acetaminophen over 24 hours. Be honest with yourself
about the ingestion of alcohol.
- Record the number of pills or
spoonfuls of acetaminophen and the time that you take them.
Next: How can overdose be avoided in children? »
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