Drug overdose: Acetaminophen Poisoning Symptoms & Treatment

Toxicity of paracetamol (acetaminophen) could lead to mild symptoms of chronic symptoms.

Paracetamol is another name for acetaminophen is used as a pain reliever and fever.

A limited number, paracetamol is a drug that is actually quite safe for consumption.

Safe dose of paracetamol for adults is 1,000 mg per one consumer with a maximum dose up to 4,000 mg per day.

For people who drink alcohol, the maximum recommended dose is 2,000 mg per day.

Paracetamol is also safe for children. Doses for children are appropriate depending on the age / weight of the child.

Paracetamol Poisoning Symptoms

Effects due to paracetamol toxicity varies from one person to another, depending on their health condition.

People suffering from liver and kidney damage, an effect that may arise will be less severe than the liver and kidney functions were normal.

Here are the signs of overdose or paracetamol poisoning often occurs:

Gag
Nausea
Sweat
Sluggish
Loss of appetite
Diarrhea
These symptoms appear 24 hours after the overdose. Usually there are no symptoms appear in the first 24 hours.

The reaction of paracetamol with the body occurs gradually. If the poisoning is not too much, usually someone just experiencing the symptoms mentioned above.

However, if the symptoms get worse and progress to the next stage, it is a sign of liver damage. The second stage occurs in the next 48-72 hours.

Paracetamol is metabolized by the liver which will then form the metabolite NAPQI. These metabolites are toxic to the liver.

When the metabolite NAPQI is formed and accumulated a lot of it will cause damage to the liver

Symptoms that may occur at this stage are:

Jaundice
Bleeding
Urination is reduced
Acute Renal Failure
Pain in the right upper abdominal
At this stage of the handling of health workers should be given immediately.

As soon as someone taking paracetamol in excess, either intentionally or by accident, handling to dispose of these substances should be given.

If it turns out the symptoms of poisoning has not been lost and continue to the next stage, you could say it was fatal.

The third stage occurs after 72 hours and can continue until the 5th day since the overdose.

Some of the symptoms are serious enough at this stage because it shows a high level of toxicity in the body.

These symptoms include:

Hypoglycemia
Coma
Necrosis or premature death in living tissue or cells
Renal failure
Liver damage
Swelling in the brain
Blown
Multiple organ failure (multiple organ failure)
Often required liver transplantation for patients to survive this life-threatening situation.

That is why, it is advisable to immediately get treatment before the symptoms worsen.

Paracetamol Poisoning Treatment

The first step that must be done is to remove paracetamol from the digestive system.

If the potentially life-threatening, then rinse the hull needs to be done. Rinse the stomach takes about an hour.

Rinse the hull will be effective when done at least two hours after consumed paracetamol because it has not been absorbed by the body.

Antidotes for this case is acetylcysteine ​​(acetylcysteine).

Acetylcysteine ​​works to reduce paracetamol toxicity by replenishing (refiling) quotas body's antioxidant glutathione.

Acetylcysteine ​​work effectively within 8 hours of the overdose patient.

The use of activated carbon is another way to cope with paracetamol poisoning.

Activated carbon will absorb paracetamol is in the stomach.

It is recommended not to use activated carbon with acetylcysteine ​​as activated carbon can absorb these antidotes.

The last step to overcome paracetamol poisoning is a liver transplant. Usually this is only done in extreme cases and severe.

Prevention is always better than cure. So take any medicine in the recommended doses.

Although paracetamol is a safe drug, but it is the most common cause of poisoning and acute liver failure.

Avoid the use of paracetamol (acetaminophen) or other pain medications if you have liver or kidney problems, on an empty stomach, or have been drinking more than three alcoholic drinks a day.

It is advisable to consult with your healthcare provider before taking any medications to avoid unnecessary complications