Overview
Paracetamol poisoning, also known as acetaminophen overdose or acetaminophen toxicity, occurs when a person takes too much paracetamol (called acetaminophen in the United States and Canada). Paracetamol is one of the most commonly used pain relievers and fever reducers worldwide, found in hundreds of over-the-counter and prescription medications. While safe at recommended doses, taking too much can cause severe and potentially life-threatening liver damage. When the body processes normal amounts of paracetamol, the liver breaks it down safely. However, when too much is taken, the liver cannot keep up, and a toxic byproduct called NAPQI builds up. This toxic substance directly damages liver cells and can lead to acute liver failure if not treated promptly. Poisoning can happen from a single large overdose or from repeatedly taking slightly too much over several days (called a staggered overdose). Early symptoms may be mild or absent, which makes this condition particularly dangerous. Within the first 24 hours, a person may feel nauseous, vomit, or simply feel unwell. Over the next few days, signs of liver damage appear, including abdominal pain in the upper right side, yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), and confusion. The main treatment is a medication called N-acetylcysteine (NAC), which works as an antidote and is most effective when given within 8 hours of the overdose. With prompt treatment, most people recover fully, but delayed treatment can lead to liver failure requiring a liver transplant or can be fatal.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Nausea and vomitingLoss of appetiteAbdominal pain, especially in the upper right sideYellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)Dark-colored urinePale or clay-colored stoolsExcessive sweatingFeeling generally unwell or tiredConfusion or difficulty thinking clearlyUnusual bleeding or bruisingSwelling in the abdomen from fluid buildupLow blood sugar symptoms such as shakinessKidney problems including reduced urine outputIn severe cases, loss of consciousness or coma
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Variable
Can begin at different ages, from infancy through adulthood
FDA & Trial Timeline
3 eventsAssiut University — NA
University Hospital, Ghent
The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
2 availableAcetylcysteine
indicated as an antidote to prevent or lessen hepatic injury which may occur following the ingestion of a potentially hepatotoxic quantity of acetaminophen
Cetylev
Indicated to prevent or lessen hepatic injury after ingestion of a potentially hepatotoxic quantity of acetaminophen in patients with acute ingestion or from repeated supratherapeutic ingestion
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Paracetamol poisoning.
Community
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Start the conversation →Latest news about Paracetamol poisoning
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: Screening of Susceptibility Genes for APAP Induced Drug Induced LIver Injury in ChiNese Population: a Case-control Study
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Paracetamol poisoning
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
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Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.How severe is the liver damage, and what do my blood test results mean?,Was treatment started early enough to prevent long-term liver problems?,Will I need any follow-up blood tests to check my liver function, and for how long?,Are there any medications or supplements I should avoid while my liver recovers?,Is it safe for me to ever take paracetamol again in the future?,Should I be referred for mental health support or counseling?,What warning signs should I watch for that would mean I need to come back to the hospital?
Common questions about Paracetamol poisoning
What is Paracetamol poisoning?
Paracetamol poisoning, also known as acetaminophen overdose or acetaminophen toxicity, occurs when a person takes too much paracetamol (called acetaminophen in the United States and Canada). Paracetamol is one of the most commonly used pain relievers and fever reducers worldwide, found in hundreds of over-the-counter and prescription medications. While safe at recommended doses, taking too much can cause severe and potentially life-threatening liver damage. When the body processes normal amounts of paracetamol, the liver breaks it down safely. However, when too much is taken, the liver cannot
How is Paracetamol poisoning inherited?
Paracetamol poisoning follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
Are there clinical trials for Paracetamol poisoning?
Yes — 2 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Paracetamol poisoning on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Paracetamol poisoning?
21 specialists and care centers treating Paracetamol poisoning are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.