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What Causes Pain Under The Rib Area After Taking Overdose Of Paracetamol?
Question: my daughter took an overdose of paracetamol two approx. 48 hours ago (25x 500mg). She was taken to hospital and given charcoal to drink. After 4 hours her bloods were taken and they told me that even tho her bloodwork wasn't great she was out of the danger zone. They released her the next morning. Today she has been complaining of pain in her back under her rib area and says it feels deep and gnawing like period pain should I be concerned or should I feel ok considering what the hospital told me re her blood work and dangerzone etc?
Brief Answer:
There is reason to be concerned. Please visit your doctor.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
The dose that your daughter had taken, was in the toxic range. Although she received a gastric lavage and activated charcoal, these measures could only prevent the absorption of the still unabsorbed amount in her stomach. Chances are that some amount could still have been absorbed even though it did not get reflected in the bloodwork. The liver metabolizes the medicine and the kidney eliminates the same. Naturally, these organs had to work overtime to compensate for the additional paracetamol load. The location you describe, corroborates with the location of the kidney. Though it could be a simple muscle spasm, I would insist on getting her re-examined by your doctor without delay.
Hope that helps.
Regards
Dr. Diptanshu Das
There is reason to be concerned. Please visit your doctor.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
The dose that your daughter had taken, was in the toxic range. Although she received a gastric lavage and activated charcoal, these measures could only prevent the absorption of the still unabsorbed amount in her stomach. Chances are that some amount could still have been absorbed even though it did not get reflected in the bloodwork. The liver metabolizes the medicine and the kidney eliminates the same. Naturally, these organs had to work overtime to compensate for the additional paracetamol load. The location you describe, corroborates with the location of the kidney. Though it could be a simple muscle spasm, I would insist on getting her re-examined by your doctor without delay.
Hope that helps.
Regards
Dr. Diptanshu Das
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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