What Can Be The Effects Of Paracetamol Overdose?

Posted on Thu, 24 Sep 2015

Question: Hi I took 48 500mg of paracetamol tablets a week ago and had the iv antidote. My blood levels were apparently 15.5 is this high

Answered by Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (54 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Bllod levels normal. Dose took was lethal. Thanks to antidote. No worries

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for asking

I read your question and i understand your concern. Acetaminophen / paracetamol is toxic if taken in dosages above 5000 mg or 10 tablets at a time. The good thing which happened in your case was timely infusion of an antidote N acetylcysteine.

Now the levels of 15 are in perfectly normal range and nothing to worry about. However keep an eye on your liver functions as liver is the main target of acetaminophen toxicity. Jaundice , pain in right lower rib cage and any bleeding site should be your utmost concerns. But with one week passed and no such incident yet , the odds for any more to recur or show up is very unlikely.

I hope it helps. Take good care of yourself and dont forget to close the discussion please.

Regards
Khan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (3 minutes later)

Hi sorry to clarify the paracetamol blood levels were 15.5 ( not sure if that was g or mg?) at time post 4 hrs of ioverdose that's all my gp told me. I know I needed the antidote but would this still be high??

Answered by Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Not high. Microgram.

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back

The levels are in microgram and should be in microgram otherwise the GP would have taken you for further detoxification. YOu are out of the woods. Please take care in future. Life is very precious and needs better treatment. Get some psychotherapy sessions to help you.

I hope it helps.
Regards
Khan

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar