How much acetaminophen

This can happen if you take more than the recommended dosage. When you take a normal dose, it enters your gastrointestinal tract and is absorbed into your bloodstream. It starts to take effect in 45 minutes for most oral forms, or up to 2 hours for suppositories. NAPQI is toxic. In the liver, it kills cells and causes irreversible tissue damage. In severe cases, it can cause liver failure. This triggers a chain of reactions that can lead to death. According to a literature review, liver failure caused by acetaminophen overdose causes death in approximately 28 percent of cases.

Among those who have liver failure, 29 percent require a liver transplant. Those who survive an acetaminophen overdose without needing a liver transplant may experience long-term liver damage.

In general, adults can take between milligrams mg and 1, mg of acetaminophen every 4 to 6 hours. The chart below contains more detailed dosage information for adults based on the type of product and the amount of acetaminophen per dose.

For children, the dose varies according to weight. If your child is under the age of 2, ask your doctor for the correct dose. In general, children can take around 7 mg of acetaminophen per pound of their body weight every 6 hours. Call or poison control right away if you suspect you, your child, or someone you know took too much Tylenol. Early treatment is associated with lower mortality rates in both children and adults.

Treatment for a Tylenol or acetaminophen overdose depends on how much was taken and how much time has passed. If less than an hour has passed since the Tylenol was ingested, activated charcoal may be used to absorb the remaining acetaminophen from the gastrointestinal tract.

When liver damage is likely, a drug called N-acetyl cysteine NAC may be given orally or intravenously. When used as directed, Tylenol is safe for most people.

However, you should speak to your healthcare provider before using Tylenol if you have any of the following conditions:. Click here to download adult dosage chart. More than OTC and prescription medicines see examples contain acetaminophen. Taking more than one medicine that contains acetaminophen at a time increases your chance of taking too much and that can harm your liver.

Taking more increases your chance of harming your liver. For your safety, do not take more than 4, mg in 24 hours. It is important to follow the directed dose and wait the correct amount of time between doses to avoid harmful side effects. Blood tests will be done to check how much acetaminophen is in the blood. The person may receive:.

People with liver disease are more likely to develop serious complications of acetaminophen overdose. Overdose may be either acute sudden or short-term or chronic long-term , depending on the doses taken, and symptoms may therefore vary. If treatment is received within 8 hours of the overdose, there is a very good chance of recovery.

However, without rapid treatment, a very large overdose of acetaminophen can lead to liver failure and death in a few days. Aronson JK. Paracetamol acetaminophen and combinations. In: Aronson JK, ed.

Meyler's Side Effects of Drugs. Waltham, MA: Elsevier; Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; chap Updated by: Jacob L. Editorial team. Acetaminophen overdose. Acetaminophen is found in a variety of over-the-counter and prescription pain relievers.