Overdose Of Paracetamol: Serious Hepatic Risks

2023 Author: Lynn Laird | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 21:10

Overdose of paracetamol, the most commonly prescribed and used medicine for fever and pain, can cause destruction of liver cells, resulting in death. To alert consumers, the Medicines Agency requires manufacturers to write a warning message on the boxes: “overdose = danger”.

Overdose of paracetamol: serious hepatic risks

Paracetamol is normally metabolized by the liver and eliminated. But consumed in excess, the drug turns into a toxic product that causes destruction of liver cells. Without care, toxic hepatitis can occur. It is even possible to die from an overdose of paracetamol, if the number of cells destroyed is large. According to statistics, it is the misuse of the drug that is the leading cause of drug-induced liver transplant in France. The Medicines Agency has just taken a new measure to warn consumers about the significant risks to the liver, linked to paracetamol overdose. As part of the measurement,the laboratories concerned will have to modify the boxes of medicines containing paracetamol in order to include the alert messages requested by the Agency. Thus, the messages "overdose = danger" and "Exceeding the dose can destroy the liver" should appear on the front of boxes containing only paracetamol. Regarding drugs which combine the molecule with other active substances, the boxes will contain the following words: "overdose = danger" and "Do not take another drug containing paracetamol".the boxes will contain the following words: "overdose = danger" and "Do not take another medication containing paracetamol".the boxes will contain the following words: "overdose = danger" and "Do not take another medication containing paracetamol".



Although the dangerousness of paracetamol depends on the capacities of the liver of each one, the Medicines Agency recalls the recommendations of good use, among which: respect the maximum daily dose (3 grams maximum for an adult) and the catches spaced 4 hours apart. minimum; take the lowest dose for the shortest time possible; respect the recommended duration of treatment; check the contents of other medicines to see if they do not also contain paracetamol.