Paracetamol poisoning

Paracetamol poisoning

You have been discharged, after assessment or treatment in hospital, following a paracetamol overdose.

What are the risks of paracetamol?

Paracetamol is a common painkiller that is normally safe. When taken in overdose it can be very harmful to the liver and sometimes the kidneys.

What are the risks to me?

A clinician in the Emergency Department has assessed you.

Based on your blood tests and information provided you are fit for discharge home.

If your blood tests relating to a paracetamol overdose are currently normal, there should be no significant risk to you from this overdose.

What should I do now?

You should check with your doctor or nurse, how long to avoid paracetamol for.

You do not need to do anything else unless you develop new symptoms.

Is there anything I should look out for?

You must seek medical advice immediately if you develop any of the following symptoms:

  • abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting
  • a change of colour to your skin or to the whites of your eyes (turning yellow)
  • confusion or drowsiness
  •  difficulty in passing urine

Are there any long-term health effects?

Your blood tests indicated that no further treatment was required.

There should not be any long-term health effects.

Reviewed by Dr T Shaw in October 2022, next review in October 2024. 

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Source URL: https://www.barnsleyhospital.nhs.uk/services/a-and-e/paracetamol-overdose

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