Acetaminophen Overdose
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 6, 2024.
Acetaminophen overdose means you took more than is safe to take. It may also be called acetaminophen poisoning. Acetaminophen is called paracetamol in countries outside the United States. When used correctly, acetaminophen is a safe drug that decreases pain and fever. Many medicines contain acetaminophen, including some that you can buy without a prescription.
DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS:
Return to the emergency department if:
- You or another person took too much acetaminophen.
- You feel confused or more tired than usual, or you are sweating more than usual.
- You have severe nausea and are vomiting.
- You cannot have a bowel movement or urinate.
- Your skin and the whites of your eyes turn yellow.
Call your doctor if:
- You have a fever.
- You have taken too much acetaminophen by mistake, even if you do not have any signs or symptoms.
- You have pain in the upper right side of your abdomen.
- You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.
If you think you took too much acetaminophen:
Immediately call the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 .
Common causes of an acetaminophen overdose:
- You took more than the recommended dose. Acetaminophen comes in many forms, such as pills, capsules, and liquids. Strengths include regular strength, extra strength, and extended release. The most acetaminophen that is safe for most people to take is 4,000 milligrams (4 grams) in a 24-hour period. Some forms of acetaminophen need to be limited to lower doses, such as 3,000 mg (3 grams). Only a healthcare provider can recommend a larger maximum dose. You might accidentally take too much if your pain or fever did not go away after the recommended dose. You may also get too much if you take acetaminophen for too many days in a row.
- You accidentally took more than one medicine that contains acetaminophen at a time. Many medicines contain acetaminophen along with other drugs. These include medicines for colds, the flu, allergies, or trouble sleeping. You may have taken more than one medicine that contains acetaminophen, and the total was too much.
- You took an extended-release form. When you take extended-release pills, the medicine stays in your body longer. You are supposed to take these medicines less often than you would take regular acetaminophen. If you take this medicine too often, you will have too much in your body at one time.
Treatment options
The following list of medications are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.
Prevent an acetaminophen overdose:
Ask your healthcare provider or a pharmacist if you are not sure about any of the following:
- Read labels carefully. Read the labels of all the medicines you take. If your medicine contains acetaminophen, it will be listed in the active ingredients section. Acetaminophen may be listed on the label as APAP, Acetaminoph, Acetaminop, Acetamin, or Acetam. Check carefully to see if the acetaminophen is a regular or extended-release form.
- Do not take more than 1 type of acetaminophen at a time. Many combination medicines contain acetaminophen. Make sure the total dose of acetaminophen you take is not more than 4,000 milligrams (4 grams) in 1 day. Check other medicines to see if they contain acetaminophen. Do not take these medicines together with acetaminophen. The combined amount of acetaminophen may be too much.
- Take the correct dose. Make sure you take the right amount and wait the right number of hours between doses. Never take more than the label says to take. If the medicine came with a device such as a spoon or dropper, use it to measure your medicine. If you need to give acetaminophen to your child, check the label to find out how much to give. The amount and timing will be based on your child's age and weight.
- Do not take acetaminophen for too many days in a row. Do not take acetaminophen for more than 10 days to treat pain, unless your healthcare provider tells you to. Do not take acetaminophen for more than 3 days to treat a fever, unless your healthcare provider tells you to. Your pain or fever may need to be treated another way if it lasts longer than a few days.
Follow up with your doctor as directed:
Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.
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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
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