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Is Taking 2500 Mg Acetaminophen And 2500 Mg Aspirin Fatal?

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Posted on Thu, 27 Jul 2017
Question: My daughter just took 2500 mg acetaminophen and 2500 mg aspirin. Is that fatal?
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Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (42 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
these doses shouldn't be fatal in an adult

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

I'm not sure whether 34 is your age or your daughter's age. If it's your daughter's age then these doses are higher than normal but they shouldn't be fatal. Fatal doses are usually much higher. They may cause some toxicity though, therefore measurement of their levels in serum is indicated, particularly if it was a suicide attempt; such patients tend to lie about the quantity and type of drugs they swallowed. Paracetamol toxicity can be treated with N-acetylcysteine when indicated. If she just took the pills then some of them can be removed with aspiration of gastric contents and perhaps with activated charcoal. Let the doctors take such decisions after assessing her condition.

So in conclusion, she'd better visit the ER for assessment, measurement of drug levels and treatment.

I hope you find my comments helpful!
Kind Regards!

Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1999

Answered : 3814 Questions

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Is Taking 2500 Mg Acetaminophen And 2500 Mg Aspirin Fatal?

Brief Answer: these doses shouldn't be fatal in an adult Detailed Answer: Hello, I'm not sure whether 34 is your age or your daughter's age. If it's your daughter's age then these doses are higher than normal but they shouldn't be fatal. Fatal doses are usually much higher. They may cause some toxicity though, therefore measurement of their levels in serum is indicated, particularly if it was a suicide attempt; such patients tend to lie about the quantity and type of drugs they swallowed. Paracetamol toxicity can be treated with N-acetylcysteine when indicated. If she just took the pills then some of them can be removed with aspiration of gastric contents and perhaps with activated charcoal. Let the doctors take such decisions after assessing her condition. So in conclusion, she'd better visit the ER for assessment, measurement of drug levels and treatment. I hope you find my comments helpful! Kind Regards!