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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Taken Paracetamol Overdose, Having Abdominal Pain, Loss Of Appetite, Chest Pain. Is It Possible To Survive?

is it possible to survive a paracetamol overdose without medical treatment? i took an overdose about 11-13 days ago, 3 days with a dosage of 5g-5g-35g paracetamol. two weeks before that and a few days ago i also took paracetamol overdose of about 5g. i have read some articles and journals that says the rate of survival on paracetamol overdose is high but i think that is only with medical treatment. there are some symptoms i experience for more than a week: slight abdominal pains, loss of appetite , constipation , slight chest pain(not everyday), hard to sleep. i only eat once or twice a day although i usually eat 3 and even sometimes 4 times, i smoke half a pack a day. am i recovering or are my liver going to failure?
Fri, 22 Jun 2012
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Internal Medicine Specialist,  's  Response
Hi adigunayuwono,
Welcome to HCM.
I have gone through your query. The toxic dose of paracetamol is highly variable. In adults, single doses above 10 grams or 200 mg/kg of bodyweight, whichever is lower, have a reasonable likelihood of causing toxicity. Research shows that the common threshold for liver damage to occur from a single paracetamol overdose is 15 gms (30 tablets). There are often no symptoms in the first 24 hours following overdose, although there may be mild nausea and vomiting. In a large overdose liver function deteriorates leading to jaundice, confusion, and loss of consciousness. Death is rare but when it occurs it is due to liver failure. Hence, would advice you to get your liver function test done and if abnormal to kindly consult a physician.
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Taken Paracetamol Overdose, Having Abdominal Pain, Loss Of Appetite, Chest Pain. Is It Possible To Survive?

Hi adigunayuwono, Welcome to HCM. I have gone through your query. The toxic dose of paracetamol is highly variable. In adults, single doses above 10 grams or 200 mg/kg of bodyweight, whichever is lower, have a reasonable likelihood of causing toxicity. Research shows that the common threshold for liver damage to occur from a single paracetamol overdose is 15 gms (30 tablets). There are often no symptoms in the first 24 hours following overdose, although there may be mild nausea and vomiting. In a large overdose liver function deteriorates leading to jaundice, confusion, and loss of consciousness. Death is rare but when it occurs it is due to liver failure. Hence, would advice you to get your liver function test done and if abnormal to kindly consult a physician.