Health: Over Time, Even a Little Too Much Tylenol Can Kill

When it comes to acetaminophen (aka Tylenol or paracetamol), taking slightly too much for a few days may be more deadly than taking way too much all at once.

A staggered overdose was defined as an average of 4 grams per day (8 extra strength pills). Although such an overdose can even occur after one day, the average staggered overdose patient consumed a total of 24 grams.

The chemical used to treated acetaminophen poisoning, N-acetyl cysteine, is meant to protect the liver from the damage of a single overdose, and is unlikely to help patients with staggered overdoses, the researchers write. By the time these patients reach the hospital, much of the damage may already be done.

For more, see Study: Over Time, Even a Little Too Much Tylenol Can Kill by Douglas Main, November 24, 2011 at 80beats.