Girl almost died after taking 40 paracetamol tablets
A 13-year-old boy in Tien Giang was angry with his father for not letting him get hair extensions, so he took 40 paracetamol 500 mg tablets and suffered acute liver failure.
After about two hours of taking the medicine, he felt dizzy, nauseous, and tired, so he texted his father to take him to the hospital on August 12. Doctors performed a gastric lavage, gave the patient activated charcoal, and did blood tests. The patient's liver enzymes increased more than 20 times the normal level.
The patient was transferred to the City Children's Hospital (HCMC) for intensive treatment and paracetamol antidote. After three days, her condition gradually improved, her liver enzymes decreased, and she regained consciousness and expressed remorse for her actions. The hospital's psychologists talked to her, counseled her, and helped her overcome the crisis.
Doctors recommend that during adolescence and puberty, children develop and change a lot psychologically. Parents need to pay attention, explain, avoid forcing, imposing, causing psychological disturbance in children which can easily lead to rash and dangerous actions.
Paracetamol is a common fever reducer but can cause severe poisoning and liver damage if used incorrectly or overdosed. Recently, a baby in Phu Tho was given an overdose of fever reducer and suffered liver failure, endangering his life.
The usual dose is 10-15 mg/kg body weight per dose, two doses at least 4 hours apart, you can refer to the dosage according to age listed on the medicine box. Children under two years old, it is best to use antipyretics according to the doctor's prescription.
