Posted by yxibow on January 8, 2007, at 3:45:20
In reply to Re: Tylenol overdose, posted by dbc on January 8, 2007, at 1:57:46
OMG twice. Go to the ER immediately, although activated charcoal will not reach you by this point. You have to be heroically saved with N-acetylcysteine and other supportive care.
It is the second most common cause of hepatic failure in the US and I think paracetamol is the first in the UK. Anyway that is irrelevant.
Evaluations will be necessary. Depending on combinations of drugs already in system, a team of doctors will have to decide if it is necessary to receive a partial or full liver transplant if necessary or monitored liver in hospital for an undetermined time.
As a foot note, please, anybody reading this, and I will not post anything about amounts, do not go that direction and especially do not go that direction with APAP/paracetamol.It is a highly useful drug and only one of two that are most effective for antipyretic, the other being aspirin, in or out of hospital, for severe fevers. Ibuprofen and its derivatives are not very effective at fever reduction in a number of people. But much beyond the 4-6 hour dosing strategy, it is a drug with a low margin of safety, and OTC. It is still reasonable for it to be OTC, I have safely used it for years, especially as a teen with the Reye's syndrome possibility with aspirin, etc. If it were passed through the FDA today it would never be approved. But thankfully there are two, and only two antipyretics available besides other supportive method care (ice baths can cause shock).
Be well. We are here with your thoughts.-- Jay
poster:yxibow
thread:720274
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070107/msgs/720350.html