Another Warning About Excessive Tylenol Use

[cheerfuldom]

An aquaintance says that her daughter was hospitalized for liver failure due to excessive use of Tylenol. Just a warning to be careful about administering medication and look out for daycare parents that use too much. I have had one similar situation where I had to talk to a daycare mom and ask her to stop the medicating. She thought she was helping her fussy child be happy at daycare and has since, thankfully, stopped.

[Cat Herder]

Thanks Cheer!!!! happyface

Very important information. We should also be familiar with the signs and symptoms of liver damage associated with tylenol (acetaminophen) abuse/mis-use. This is from Medicine.net for anyone interested in reading more.

How can overdose be avoided in children?

The dosing of acetaminophen for children, as previously mentioned, depends on their weight and age. To avoid overdose in children, follow the same procedures for them as suggested above for adults. Beyond that, two adults should independently determine the dose of acetaminophen for a child. If there is disagreement about the recommended dose, consult a pharmacist or physician. These precautions are not excessive when you consider that in one experimental mock situation, only 30% of adults correctly calculated the dose of acetaminophen for their child. If a baby-sitter is caring for a sick child, parents should carefully write out the dose and schedule for the administration of the drug. The fact is that each year, in children with high fevers who were given repetitive doses of acetaminophen, deaths have occurred due to accidental overdose and the resulting liver damage.


What are the symptoms and signs of acetaminophen-induced liver damage?

Three clinical stages (phases) of acetaminophen-induced liver injury have been described.

During the first phase, that is, the initial 12 to 24 hours or so after ingestion, the patient experiences nausea and vomiting.

For the next perhaps 12 to 24 hours, which is the second phase or the so-called inactive (latent) phase, the patient feels well.

In the third phase, which begins about 48 to as late as 72 hours after the ingestion of acetaminophen, liver blood test abnormalities begin to appear. Most notably, extremely high (abnormal) levels of the liver blood tests, AST and ALT, are common with this type of liver injury. The outcome (prognosis) of the liver injury can be predicted fairly accurately on the basis of the patient's clinical exam and blood tests. For example, at one extreme, if the patient develops severe acid buildup in the blood, kidney failure, bleeding disorders, or coma, then death is almost certain. Only a liver transplant can possibly save such a patient.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) Liver Damage At A Glance


Acetaminophen is a very safe drug when taken as directed, even for people with liver disease. Nevertheless, every drug carries risks.
Liver damage from acetaminophen, which can be severe, can result either from an overdose or from regular doses that are taken while drinking alcohol.
Most cases of acetaminophen-induced liver injury are caused by an intentional or suicidal overdose.
Unintentional or accidental overdose of acetaminophen can usually be avoided with care and attention to the dosing.
Physicians can estimate a patient's probability of developing liver injury based on the timing of the overdose and the blood level of the drug.
In patients with acetaminophen liver damage, the usual clinical sequence is nausea and vomiting for the first 12-24 hours, then the patient seems well for the next 12-24 hours, after which abnormal liver blood tests develop.
An antidote, N-acetyl cysteine, is available and should be given to the patient as soon as possible, preferably within 16 hours after the acetaminophen was taken.