What a paracetamol overdose does to your body More than 200 people died from paracetamol poisoning in Australia in the 10-year period. This is likely because people are taking more tablets when they overdose than in previous years, increasing the risk of liver failure. Liver injury from paracetamol has doubled over the same period. In that time, we recorded more than 95,000 paracetamol-related hospitalisations. The annual number of cases of paracetamol poisoning increased by 44% from 2007-08 to 2016-17. We analysed data from national hospital admissions, poisons centre calls and coroners’ records to examine poisonings, liver injuries and deaths. It’s time to consider restrictions, including reducing pack sizes and changing the way paracetamol is sold. And the bigger the dose, the greater the risk. But when this dose is exceeded, there is a potential for harm.

Paracetamol is safe if used appropriately, at a maximum of four grams a day in adults (equivalent to eight 500mg tablets, or six 665mg modified-release tablets).

Paracetamol overdose antidote