TYLENOL POISONING
What is Tylenol Poisoning?
Tylenol, also known as acetaminophen poisoning, happens when a person intentionally or accidentally takes more than the recommended amount of this medication. It can then result in grave damage to the liver. In some cases, an overdose can cause liver failure, resulting in need for liver transplantation and in other cases even death.
Tylenol and Advil
We all get colds and flus throughout the year. Some are worse than others. Some require a visit to the doctor for a prescription, whereas others are just your general run of the mill runny nose, fever, headache, chills, and maybe the odd stomach ache. Most people keep a handy supply of standard medications at home. If I were to guess at what they were, I would likely say, Advil and Tylenol.
The use of acetaminophen and ibuprofen are extremely accessible. These are the two most common over the counter medications used for the above listed symptoms. Advil has the advantage of being an anti-inflammatory drug as well, but often when we have a virus, this is not necessary. Both drugs are very effective in their jobs as pain relievers, at alleviating aches and pains, and at bringing down fevers. Unfortunately, when either one of these drugs is overused, it can lead to complications. Advil can be hard on your stomach and kidneys, whereas Tylenol can cause extreme liver injury.
Importance of Monitoring Dose Intake of Medications
The main focus of this blog is to explain the importance of monitoring the dose intake of Tylenol when we are not feeling well or injured. About one- third of Tylenol (acetaminophen) overdoses are accidental. This is do to the lack of awareness in how harmful it can be to someone’s liver function if the daily recommended dose is exceeded. The general amount of acetaminophen to take safely per twenty-four hour period is no more than 4 grams. That is the same as 4,000 mg.
Another way of looking at this would be 20 to 30 extra strength Tylenol, or 10 to 15 Vicodin plus 10 to 15 Tylenol in one day. In children, no more than five doses in a twenty-four hour period are recommended. Verify the dosage on the package label for instructions based on age. Do not give Tylenol to a child under the age of two.
I realize that this sounds like a whole lot of Tylenol, however, there are actually several ways that a person could accidentally exceed this limit.
Some of the common mistakes people make when overdosing on Tylenol are:
1. People will often continue to take over the safely recommended dosage throughout the day when their symptoms persist. This can also end up continuing for many days in a row.
2. Sometimes people will choose to take the ‘extended-release’ type of acetaminophen instead of the regular type. This  pain reliever medication requires that you take it less often. However, if you continue to use it as per the same directions as the regular strength, or extra-strength tylenol, it will have you ingesting way too much acetaminophen into your system too often. This can lead to acute liver failure.
3. Tylenol must be placed out of reach from young children. Tylenol can accidentally be ingested in large quantities by  a child who have somehow gotten access to a full bottle. This is a very common cause of liver damage in children and acetaminophen overdose. Drug administration to children should only be provided under the supervision of adults.
Read All Medication Labels
It is absolutely necessary that people read the labels on all medications taken. This will prevent double dosages of the same medicines and prevent the ingestion of excessive acetaminophen levels, thus providing proper dosages per time interval and avoiding hepatotoxicity. The recommended dose of acetaminophen should not exceed ten days for the treatment of pain or be not be taken for more than three days to treat a fever. If these types of symptoms persist for longer, the treatment options should be modified.
Signs and symptoms of acetaminophen overdose are:
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes. This is referred to as jaundice.
- Abdominal pain.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Loss of appetite.
Tylenol is a very powerful drug. When over used, it has the ability to destroy half a person’s liver cells in less than a week. Liver function tests are used to assess the damage done to the liver. This would include multiple blood tests. A drug called acetylcysteine is used to treat acetaminophen-induced liver failure and is administered as promptly as possible. This treatment is highly effective and is given to patients orally or via intravenous . It helps to decrease the acetaminophen toxicity to the liver. In the likelihood that the acetaminophen could still remain in the gastrointestinal tract, activated charcoal is also sometimes given. Patients who end up in liver failure, may require a hemodialysis or a liver transplant.
If you suspect someone you know might be suffering from acetaminophen overdose, please call Poison Control Doctors. 1-800-268-9017. Or dial 911.
Be safe out there and remember, both Advil and Tylenol are a safe drug and effective when taken as recommended.
What is the treatment for tylenol poisoning?
The treatment for tylenol poisoning depends on the severity of the poisoning and how long it has been since the person ingested the medication. In cases where a person has overdosed or been poisoned in any way, they should seek immediate medical attention. The doctor may administer a drug called N-acetylcysteine (NAC), which helps reduce the effects of tylenol toxicity in the body. They may also provide activated charcoal, which binds to toxins and helps prevent them from being absorbed into the bloodstream. In severe cases, dialysis may be needed to help remove the poison from the blood. It is important to follow all instructions given by medical professionals and always store medications safely and out of reach of children.
Acetaminophen overdose prognosis?
The prognosis for an acetaminophen overdose depends on several factors, such as the amount of medication ingested and how quickly treatment is sought. If a person receives prompt medical attention after an overdose, their prognosis is usually good and they can recover without any long-term effects. However, if a person overdoses on acetaminophen and does not receive timely medical care, they may be at risk of developing liver damage or even death. It is important to seek immediate medical attention if you suspect that someone has overdosed on acetaminophen in order to ensure the best possible outcome.
How many Tylenol is poisonous?
Tylenol is an over-the-counter medication that contains acetaminophen. The recommended maximum daily dose of acetaminophen is 4,000 milligrams (mg). Taking more than 4,000 mg per day can cause liver damage and other serious side effects. In extreme cases, taking as little as 7,500 mg can be fatal. It is important to always take Tylenol as directed on the package and not exceed the recommended daily dose. If you think you have taken too much Tylenol, seek medical attention immediately.
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Here are links to where you can purchase different strengths of Advil and Tylenol. These two medications are available also available in different forms. They are available in oral tablets, oral caplets, suppositories, rapid melt tablets, oral elixir, oral solution, extended release oral tablets and caplets, chewables, and effervescent tablets. Both Tylenol and Advil offer a wide range of pain relievers tailored to the patients individual needs. Please ensure that you have read all of the labels and refer to a pharmacist for help when unsure of which one is right for you.
Here is a link to many of the products available to you:
