How much acetaminophen can a person take? Follow these tips to avoid overdose poisoning.

Acetaminophen, also known as paracetamol, is one of the most commonly used over-the-counter medications by Colombian families to treat fever and relieve headaches, muscle pain, menstrual pain, sore throat, toothache, and back pain.

However, its use is not without risks and must be carefully monitored, especially when administered for several days or in conjunction with other products. Excessive use of this drug, with doses higher than those prescribed by doctors, can lead to poisoning from an overdose.

The most vulnerable groups to this bad practice include children and older adults, especially those with underlying liver disease, malnutrition, or adults who frequently consume alcohol.

Dr. Olga Melo, a clinical toxicology specialist at San José Children's University Hospital, explains that many cases of poisoning are due to excessive doses, which generally occur when patients combine different medications containing acetaminophen, such as cold remedies or over-the-counter pain relievers.

“The main risk of an overdose is liver damage, which can progress silently and require a liver transplant if not detected early,” notes Dr. Melo. Symptoms of poisoning usually appear 24 to 72 hours after consumption, delaying medical attention and worsening the prognosis.

For example, using acetaminophen to combat the flu in addition to other flu medications can cause liver saturation by exceeding the safe dose for the body, loading it with toxic metabolites and causing liver damage that takes time to present symptoms, requiring treatment or even a transplant depending on the severity.

To avoid overdose, the maximum recommended daily dose for adults is 3 grams. For children, this medication should be used under medical prescription, and the recommended dose is no more than 10 milligrams per kilogram of body weight every six hours, and no more than 50 milligrams per kilogram per day. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should use it under the supervision of a medical professional.

For home use in children, it is recommended not to use household spoons, but rather use the syringes or dosing bottles included with the medication. Keeping them out of reach of children to prevent unsupervised use is essential. Furthermore, it is vitally important to respect the intervals between doses and not increase the amount administered in response to persistent fever or pain.

With the above in mind, to prevent poisoning, the San José Children's University Hospital emphasizes the importance of taking acetaminophen only in cases of pain or fever, consulting medical personnel to ensure the correct dose is being taken, carefully reading medication labels, and verifying the concentration of each ingredient.

Environment and Health Journalist