What is the lethal dose of paracetamol?

Answer 1

Advil, Motrin and a few others are all a brand name for the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) ibuprofen.

"Toxic effects are unlikely at doses below 100 mg/kg, but can be severe above 400 mg/kg (around 150 tablets of 200 mg units for an average man);[26] however, large doses do not indicate the clinical course is likely to be lethal.[27] It is not possible to determine a precise lethal dose, as this may vary with age, weight, and concomitant diseases of the individual patient."

Quoted from wikipedia

Answer 2

Taking more than 3,000 grams in a day can highly increase the risk of hepatotoxiity or also known as liver injury. Liver damage can occur by taking high doses of Tylenol (Acetaminophen) or if a large amount of tablets were ingestion (accidentally or in a poisoning attempt). Death from Tylenol is very rare since modern medicine is effective at treating Tylenol overdoses however, it may leave you with organ damage, liver damage, necrotic tissue in your body and/or even coma.

Answer 3

The normal daily dose limit for adults and children 12 and over is 4 grams (4000mg). For children under 12, it is usually based on weight. It should only be taken for fevers up to 3 days and for pain up to 10 days and discontinued. Anything more than that can potentially cause an overdose, even taking the correct amount for more than 10 days.

Regular strength Tylenol is 325mg of acetaminophen per tablet. Extra strength is 500mg. Arthritis formula is 650 mg. A lot of other products contain acetaminophen including cold and allergy medicines as well as some sleeping formulas, many contain about 500mg of acetaminophen.

Acetaminophen overdose is one of the leading causes of liver failure in the US. About half of these overdoses are suicidal intentions and the other accidental. Once you take the overdose, you may or may not have symptoms until 30 minutes up to 24 hours. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cramping, dizziness, and fatigue. After that 24 hour period of time, it may seem as if all the symptoms have gone away and you might think you are alright, but this is only a respite. In actuality, this calm before the storm is when your liver is being destroyed because the liver can only process a limited amount of acetaminophen and any more than that it is handled by another route which turns it to a toxic agent that oxidizes your liver and eats it away. Give it another 24-72 hours and you will have a return of the original symptoms plus pain in the upper right abdomen, jaundice, itchy skin, delirious, limited mental capacity (sign of cerebral damage) and may end up with convulsions and a coma.

This is not a quick drug to be lethal. Death will come, but it will be quite painful and may take a few days, weeks, or months.

Now there are different factors to determine exactly how much is a fatal overdose for a person, but anything over 7 grams (7000mg) puts you at high risk for toxicity.

If you weigh under 100 pounds, have kidney or liver disease, have HIV/AIDS, or drink more than 3 Alcoholic Beverages a day, then it takes a lesser amount of acetaminophen to kill you than someone who is healthy, over 175 pounds, and has taken it with food.

If you are a high risk person, it may take between 5-15 grams to kill you. If you are at a lower risk, it may take 16-50 grams or more to do it.

As long as you go to the emergency room within 8 hours of an overdose, you will be fine if they give you the NAC treatment. Some will give it to you orally mixed with soda or juice. Some will give it as an IV, especially if the overdose is reported later than 8 hours or as a result of taking it too long a period of time. They will start with the NAC before the results of your blood test to be on the safe side. It may cause headaches, nausea and vomiting. Or you might have an allergic reaction where it is hard to breathe, you will feel like your head is hot and about to explode, and have an incredible thirst. NAC is usually considered the standard to give all acetaminophen overdoses for up to 72 hours after the fact. The sooner treatment is started, the less likely there will be permanent damage to the liver.

Most people who do overdose and get help within 72 hours usually recover. If you get help within 8 hours, your risk of permanent damage is minimal. If you wait closer to the 72 hour mark, your risk of permanent damage is increased. And sometimes, people recover without intervention at all while others never make it to the emergency room within 8 hours. It is not a good gamble.

Keep in mind, everyone reacts to drugs in different ways. A dose that might be lethal for one person may do nothing at all to another. It is always wise to just follow the directions on the label. Take it the wrong way and you risk the consequences.

Answer 4

* Remember that more is not better when it comes to taking medicines like Tylenol, so don't give more than the recommended dosage for your child's age and weight and don't give it more often than recommended. * Do not give Tylenol more often than every 4 hours or more than 5 doses a day. * If giving drops or suspension, be sure to shake the bottle well before dispensing your child's dose. * Use the enclosed dosing device (especially if using the drops) instead of your own dropper or a regular teaspoon. * Do not use Tylenol with any other medicine that contains acetaminophen. * Follow the manufacturers warning and call your doctor if your child's 'pain gets worse or lasts for more than 5 days' or his 'fever gets worse or lasts for more than 3 days'.

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Answer 5

7 grams chronically, 10 grams in one dose.

I strongly, strongly recommend you do not try this as a means of suicide. Tylenol attacks your liver, and dying from liver failure is painful.

Answer 6

1000mg-2000mg is the single dose that results in liver damage. 4000mg is that maximum recommended daily dose.

Answer 7

10-15g