Acetaminophen Toxicity

Contributed by: Susan Just, Pharm.D. Candidate

KU School of Pharmacy

Text Box: You go to the pharmacy looking for something to give you relief from your runny nose, stuffed up aching head, and constant cough. You find DayQuil Cold & Flu®, Tylenol® for the headache and Robitussin Cough, Cold and Flu®. But did you know that taking this combination of products could cause you to overdose on a medication? Each of these products contains Tylenol® (acetaminophen). Many nonprescription products that are generally considered safe can be dangerous if taken in the wrong amounts. Acetaminophen is one of these products. Acetaminophen has been available for 50 years now and is one of the most commonly used products to treat fevers and pain. Over 100 medications (prescription and nonprescription) contain acetaminophen. Acetaminophen is in many combination products. Because of this, people may take too much acetaminophen without realizing it resulting in an overdose. Many nonprescription cold and flu medications, sleeping aids, and allergy medications may contain acetaminophen. The maximum amount of acetaminophen that an adult should take in a 24 hour period is 4 grams or 4000 mg. People who consume three or more alcoholic drinks a day or who have a history of liver disease should not use acetaminophen because it increases their risk of liver toxicity. Dosages for children vary based on age and

Text Box: weight. Before giving acetaminophen to a child check dosages carefully and do not give more that what is recommended. What Can Happen If I Take Too Much Acetaminophen? Overdoses of acetaminophen can cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and poor appetite. Typically, these symptoms do not show up until a day after the acetaminophen overdose is taken and are often mistaken for a viral infection. The most serious result of an acetaminophen overdose can be death. Around 100 deaths occur each year in the United States from accidental acetaminophen overdose. Liver damage is the most common problem that occurs because the liver becomes overwhelmed and cannot process the large amounts of acetaminophen. There are treatments available for accidental acetaminophen overdoses. It is important to contact your poison center (1-800-222-1222) or physician if you think that you may have taken too much acetaminophen. The treatments work best when taken within 12 hours of the acetaminophen being taken, so it is important to seek treatment immediately. Tips for Using Acetaminophen Safely: When purchasing any nonprescription products, carefully check the active

Text Box: ingredients on the label to see if the product contains acetaminophen. If the product does have acetaminophen in it, be careful not to combine it with other acetaminophen containing products. Be sure that you are not taking more than the maximum daily dosage. If you are unsure if a product has acetaminophen in it or not, ask your pharmacist before purchasing the product. If you are currently taking prescription medications, check with your pharmacist before purchasing nonprescription items to check for interactions. When giving acetaminophen to children, use the measuring device that comes with the product. There are many different strengths of acetaminophen available that need to be accurately measured. For additional information, talk to your pharmacist or physician.

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