took 3 extra strength tylenol instead of 2. what will happen to me

Tylenol, the most popular brand name for the over-the-counter pain reliever acetaminophen, seems pretty condom. But before y'all pop more pills than directed, be aware that large doses of acetaminophen tin lead to liver and kidney damage. In some cases, it can even exist fatal.

That said, don't throw your canteen of pain relievers in the trash. But make sure you lot never accept more than than a total of iv grams of acetaminophen in a 24-hr period. You lot should also be aware of any other medication you have that may too contain acetaminophen.

Scott Olson / Getty Images

Causes and Statistics

Since the pain reliever is included equally an active ingredient in many different over-the-counter (OTC) products, including those for headache relief, cold and flu, and cough, yous can take more than you realize pretty easily. Many people think OTC medicine is harmless, and that's just non true with regards to acetaminophen.

Acetaminophen is the leading crusade of acute liver failure in the U.s.a., according to a report published in the British Medical Journal. The same study notes that acetaminophen overdose accounts for 82,000 emergency room visits and 26,000 hospitalizations each twelvemonth.

Liver failure caused by acetaminophen is commonly seen in:

• People who are depressed
• People in chronic pain
• People who misuse alcohol or narcotics
• People who have several acetaminophen medications at the same fourth dimension

Sadly, some people overdose on acetaminophen in an try to commit suicide.

Accidental Overdose in Oklahoma

One case of accidental overdose occurred in Oklahoma when 17-year-old Kellie Lynn McWilliams, who was having a migraine attack, took approximately 20 acetaminophen capsules. Each capsule independent 500 milligrams (half a gram) of acetaminophen.

Her dose was equal to ingesting ten grams of acetaminophen. The maximum recommended within 24 hours is 4 grams. And annihilation more than 7 grams is considered a severe overdose.

When Kellie became ill, repeatedly vomiting, she was admitted to the hospital. She fifty-fifty told her mother, "I thought it was OK. Information technology'due south just Tylenol, Ma." But the side effects of the overdose caused kidney and liver harm resulting in organ failure. It ultimately led to her death.

How to Avert Accidental Overdose

When you're in the eye of experiencing hurting from a headache or a migraine, your thinking isn't ever clear. That makes it much easier to accidentally overdose on pain relievers.

Information technology is important to never have more than than 4 grams of acetaminophen inside 24 hours. That's equal to 4,000 milligrams (mg), or about eight actress-strength (500 mg) tablets.

If you have a liver status or drinking problem, even this may exist too much. Speak with your healthcare provider to determine the correct dose for you.

Here are some exercise'south and don'ts for avoiding an adventitious overdose.

Practise'southward

• Ask someone to keep track of what medications yous take at what time to exist sure yous're not getting more than the recommended dosage.

• Consider putting the maximum corporeality yous can accept in a day in a separate pill bottle to avert taking more than than you should.

• Keep a notepad adjacent to your medications and jot down the times you take a dose, what yous have, and how much.

Don'ts

• Don't forget to count acetaminophen from other potential sources (for example, common opioids and OTC common cold and flu products) when calculating your total daily dose.

• Don't take more if the maximum dosage of medication doesn't give y'all relief. Contact your healthcare provider or get to the emergency room.

Alternatives to Tylenol

While taking Tylenol for a headache is a reasonable approach, you may want to consider a non-medication therapy start. For instance, if you lot are sleep-deprived or hungry, taking a nap or eating a nutritious snack may soothe your headache.

If you find that y'all are taking Tylenol or some other medication ofttimes, it's good to be aware that you may be at risk for developing a medication overuse headache. This is a rebound headache that forms as a effect of taking headache medication as well much. Too much acetaminophen may mean you lot are taking information technology more than 10 to 15 days per month, depending on the specific drug.

Summary

Tylenol is a make name of acetaminophen. It helps with pain relief. Many people call up that it'due south harmless because it's an over-the-counter drug. Merely if you have as well much of it, you could experience liver or kidney impairment. Overdosing on acetaminophen can fifty-fifty atomic number 82 to expiry.

To avoid overdose, never accept more 4 grams of Tylenol within 24 hours. But if you lot have liver illness or a drinking problem, even that may be too much. Cheque with your healthcare provider to brand sure you are taking the correct corporeality if you lot have either of these medical bug.

A Word From Verywell

The have-dwelling bulletin here is to e'er read the labels and follow the dosage instructions when taking medicine. This goes for both over-the-counter and prescription medications.

Tylenol is generally a safe and effective hurting reliever for mild headaches and other aches and pains. But it can be fatal in large doses. This doesn't hateful yous should avoid it. Instead, use information technology sensibly and properly.

Headaches Healthcare Provider Discussion Guide

Go our printable guide for your next healthcare provider'south date to help you lot inquire the right questions.

Download PDF

This Physician Discussion Guide has been sent to {{form.email}}.

There was an error. Please attempt once again.

Thanks for your feedback!

Cheers, {{grade.email}}, for signing up.

There was an mistake. Delight try again.

Verywell Wellness uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to back up the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-cheque and go on our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

1. Yoon E, Babar A, Choudhary M, Kutner Thousand, Pyrsopoulos N. Acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity: a comprehensive update.J Clin Transl Hepatol. 2016;4(2). doi:10.14218/JCTH.2015.00052

2. Rubin JB, Hameed B, Gottfried M, Lee WM, Sarkar G; Acute Liver Failure Study Group. Acetaminophen-induced acute liver failure is more common and more astringent in women.Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2018;16(half dozen):936-946. doi:10.1016/j.cgh.2017.11.042

3. Thusius NJ, Romanowicz M, Bostwick JM. Intentional or inadvertent acetaminophen overdose—how lethal it really is?Psychosomatics. 2019;60(half-dozen):574-581. doi:x.1016/j.psym.2019.05.001

4. Civan JM, Navarro V, Herrine SK, Riggio JM, Adams P, Rossi S. Patterns of acetaminophen use exceeding 4 grams daily in a hospitalized population at a tertiary care center.Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y). 2014;10(ane):27-34.

Additional Reading

• Budnitz DS, Lovegrove MC, Crosby AE. Emergency department visits for overdoses of acetaminophen-containing products. American Journal of Preventive Medicine. 2011 Jun;40(six):585-92. doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2011.02.026

owenagescits.blogspot.com

Source: https://www.verywellhealth.com/can-you-overdose-on-tylenol-1718223

Share this post