Patient education: Acetaminophen poisoning – Discharge instructions (The Basics)

What are discharge instructions? — Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care for a health problem.

What is acetaminophen poisoning? — This is when a person takes too much of a medicine called acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol). This medicine is used to relieve pain and reduce fever. It is called "paracetamol" outside of the US.

Acetaminophen poisoning can cause serious problems and sometimes death.

How do I care for myself or my child at home? — Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure that you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself or your child. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.

You should also:

●Avoid taking acetaminophen again until your doctor tells you that it is OK.

●Take steps to prevent taking too much acetaminophen by accident:

•Never take more medicine than the label says.

•Never take 2 medicines that both contain acetaminophen at the same time.

•Never leave any medicine where a child could reach it.

•When giving acetaminophen to a child, follow the instructions on the label. Use the dosing cup or syringe that came with the bottle. Always check the strength of the medicine to be sure that you give the correct dose. If you are not sure how much to give, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor.

•If you have liver disease, ask your doctor before taking any medicines that have acetaminophen in them.

What follow-up care do I need? — Your doctor or nurse will tell you when make a follow-up appointment. Make sure that you know when and where to go.

When should I call the doctor? — Call for advice right away if you or your child have any of the following:

●Shortness of breath

●Feeling weak or very tired

●A very fast or slow heartbeat

●Very dark urine, or no urine for more than 8 hours

●Belly pain

●Vomiting in the next 48 hours

●Yellow skin or eyes

●Confusion

●Bruising or bleeding more easily

Get help right away if you are thinking of hurting or killing yourself! — In some cases, people take too much acetaminophen on purpose. If you ever feel like you might hurt yourself, help is available:

●In the US, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline:

•To speak to someone, call or text 988.

•To talk to someone online, go to www.988lifeline.org/chat.

●Call your doctor or nurse, and tell them that it is an emergency.

●Call for an ambulance (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1).

●Go to the emergency department at your local hospital.

More on this topic

Patient education: Acetaminophen poisoning (The Basics)
Patient education: Acetaminophen dosing in children (The Basics)
Patient education: Drug-induced hepatitis (The Basics)
Patient education: Taking medicines when you're older (The Basics)
Patient education: Taking medicines during pregnancy (The Basics)