Liver failure can be fatal. There are many reasons for someone to take an overdose. This could be to end one's life or to cause serious self-harm. An overdose can also be taken accidentally - for example, toddlers and people with poor eyesight. In some, the act of taking an overdose is a spur-of-the-moment thing, whilst in others it can be pre-planned. Those who have pre-planned may have stockpiled medication, sorted out their affairs such as writing a will and also written a suicide note.
Some people take higher-than-recommended doses of paracetamol for pain over several days. They may not intend to kill themselves, and occasionally may not even realise they are harming themselves until they begin to feel unwell.
Paracetamol is widely available from shops and is present in most homes. The government has made rules to limit how much can be bought in one go, which may help reduce the number of overdoses. It is reasonably easy to take and so the government had also ruled that it should only be available in blister packs which can mean the tablets are trickier to get out.
There may be no symptoms for the first day. A feeling of sickness nausea and being sick vomiting may occur a few hours after taking the overdose. After 24 hours there may be pain under the ribs on the right side where the liver is and there may be yellowing of the whites of the eyes and the skin jaundice.
Other features include:. Sometimes it is carers who will discover that someone has taken an overdose. They may find empty packets or a suicide note. It is important to bring the empty packets and notes with you to the hospital.
They will also undertake a full examination which early on may not find anything. Once liver damage sets in there may be jaundice, a tender liver and presence of brain involvement called encephalopathy. Other tests that are requested will depend on each individual case and the patient's course. For example, if other medications were taken then their levels may need to be checked.
Immediate management will require resuscitation and stabilisation. If the patient is unstable - such as having low blood pressure - or there is overwhelming liver failure, they will need to be treated on an intensive care unit. There are other ways poison can also enter the body, such as by breathing, injection, venomous bites or stings, or touching enough of a substance that could cause illness or death. Poison prevention tips:. Share this information with grandparents, family members, friends, caregivers and babysitters to make sure that everyone stays safe:.
What are the common poisons , and how should they be treated? Skip to main content. Search form Search this site. Home Services Documents. National Government. Service Create listings for services offered by the Western Cape Government. Poisons Information Helpline of the Western Cape.
Description: The occurrence of accidental poisoning is unfortunately common. This topic covers adult patients only. Management of intravenous paracetamol overdose is not covered. BMJ Best Practice would like to gratefully acknowledge the previous team of expert contributors, whose work has been retained in parts of the content:. RT declares that he has no other competing interests. SM works as a freelance medical journalist and editor, video editorial director and presenter, and communications trainer.
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