Acetaminophen (Tylenol) Poisoning Treatment

Self-Care at Home

If you or a member of your household has taken or may have taken an overdose of acetaminophen, take immediate action.

• If the person is unconscious or not breathing, call 911 immediately for emergency medical services.
• If the person is awake and breathing without symptoms, call your local poison control center or the American Association of Poison Control Centers at (800) 222-1222.

The following information is helpful for both medical personnel and a poison control center:

• All medication that the person has taken, both prescribed and unprescribed (have the bottles close)
• The estimated number of tablets taken. Check the bottles for any remaining tablets and subtract that number from the amount of tablets listed on the bottle (if you think the bottle was full).
• All medications that are available in the house, prescribed and unprescribed
• The time that the person took the medication

Medical Treatment

Treatment in the emergency department depends on the condition of the person and any other medications taken.

If someone is suspected of having taken an overdose but has no symptoms, the doctor will begin the following treatment:

• Emptying of the stomach: In the very few cases in which a person comes to the hospital minutes after taking the overdose, the doctor may attempt to empty the stomach. This can be accomplished by inducing vomiting or by placing a large tube through the person's mouth and into the stomach.
• N-acetylcysteine (NAC): NAC is the antidote for toxic acetaminophen overdose. It is generally given by mouth. The medication has a foul odor but may be mixed with juice or other flavorings to make it taste better. If the person cannot take NAC by mouth, the medication can be given through a tube from the mouth into the stomach. If giving NAC by this method is not possible, the doctor may give it intravenously. NAC is generally given for 20-72 hours.
• Activated charcoal: Activated charcoal can be given by mouth to bind any drug remaining in the gastrointestinal tract.