What are the symptoms of a Tylenol overdose?

Anonymous: "What are the symptoms of a Tylenol overdose?"

An acetaminophen (Tylenol) overdose can be broken down into four phases: Since acetaminophen is broken down in the liver, this is where the primary damage from toxic levels occurs.

Stage 1: Onset may be within a few hours of ingestion and may resolve within 24 hours. Symptoms include abdominal pain, diaphoresis (excessive sweating), malaise (general discomfort), nausea, pallor (becoming pale), and vomiting.

Stage 2: Onset is 24 to 36 hours after ingestion. Liver injury develops and is noted by right upper quadrant pain (pain on your right side just above the belly button)- a classic symptom.

Stage 3: Onset is 72 to 96 hours after ingestion. Liver toxicity peaks and is shown through fulminant hepatic failure (a loss of liver function- essentially liver failure), encephalopathy (a disorder of the brain- this is what can cause a person to flux in and out of consciousness, become confused, and go into a hepatic coma), and coma. Fatalities caused by liver failure generally occur 3 to 5 days after ingesting a toxic dose.

Stage 4: Recovery stage for those patients who survive stage 3. **I read somewhere what percentage of people die from an acetaminophen overdose, and it was pretty low. I can't find the numbers now, but if a person suffering from toxicity is taken to a hospital and receives supportive care, then the chances of surviving Stage 3 are pretty dern good. Just so I'm not scaring people!**

--In addition, for everyone:

Something else to consider- anything that taxes your liver affects how much acetaminophen it takes to be toxic. Chronic alcoholics have existing liver damage or at least decreased liver function, so he or she would be at a higher risk for toxicity. Persons who take a higher dose than recommended for long periods of time are also at risk because the liver cannot clear the blood before the next "just slightly larger" dose is taken...this can build up over time and cause a toxic overdose. An "overdose" is not always just taking a handful of pills on purpose. Your best bet is to always follow the instructions on the bottle or consult a healthcare practitioner if you wish to take more. Most over-the-counter drugs are okay, but some are dangerous.

(Information from Facts and Comparisions, Online)