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Tylenol® is used commonly with children to relieve pain and other symptoms. There are dangers associated with dosage, storage and overdose that parents must be aware of to prevent accidents from occurring.
Overdose
This can occur when children are given too much Tylenol®. If a child receives too much of this in his or her system, it can cause issues with the liver that can be near fatal.
Liver Damage From Overdose
Overdoses can cause the liver to have problems filtering medication properly, which can lead to total liver failure. Vomiting, having no appetite and nausea are early signs of liver damage, and are often mistaken for flu symptoms. If you suspect an overdose, take the child to the emergency room or call the Poison Control Hotline at 1-800-222-1222.
How an Overdose Occurs
A child can be overdosed on Tylenol® if given more than directed, giving the child an adult dosage, or the child gets hold of the medicine and eats it. In some cases, parents give too much if they feel the medicine is not working.
Mixing Medications
Mixing medications that contain acetaminophen can be dangerous to your child. Many over-the-counter drugs contain acetaminophen, and giving these in addition to regular Tylenol® can easily cause an overdose.
Prevention/Solution
Read the labels on medications to check if Tylenol® is one of the ingredients so you can avoid mixing medications. Also, read directions to make sure that the dosage you give is safe for your child's age and weight. Preventing problems can also be done by properly storing medicine out children's reach.
Source:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
More Information:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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