What can be done to reduce mortality from paracetamol overdoses? A patient interview study.
BACKGROUND: Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is the most common self-poisoning agent in the UK and a leading cause of fatal hepatotoxicity. Following legislation in 1998 to limit pack sizes, beneficial effects on paracetamol-related mortality and morbidity were reported in England. However, there are sti...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Journal article |
| Language: | English |
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2012
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| _version_ | 1826268854363357184 |
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| author | Simkin, S Hawton, K Kapur, N Gunnell, D |
| author_facet | Simkin, S Hawton, K Kapur, N Gunnell, D |
| author_sort | Simkin, S |
| collection | OXFORD |
| description | BACKGROUND: Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is the most common self-poisoning agent in the UK and a leading cause of fatal hepatotoxicity. Following legislation in 1998 to limit pack sizes, beneficial effects on paracetamol-related mortality and morbidity were reported in England. However, there are still over 100 deaths a year and evidence of breaches of sales guidelines. AIM: To investigate characteristics of people taking larger paracetamol overdoses and compliance with sales guidelines, to inform possible further initiatives to reduce paracetamol fatalities. DESIGN AND METHODS: Interview study of 60 general hospital patients who took overdoses of over 16 paracetamol tablets (8 g). RESULTS: Half of all paracetamol overdoses involved over 16 tablets. Patients were predominantly young (three-quarters aged 16-40 years) and female (58.3%); over half (53.3%) had taken a previous paracetamol overdose. Three-quarters said they wanted to die. Half took the overdose within an hour of first thinking of it, half (53.3%) took tablets already in the home and 58.3% bought tablets specifically for the overdose. Ten people tried to buy more than 32 tablets in one transaction; four succeeded. Most knew that a paracetamol overdose could cause death or permanent damage (88.3%) and harm the liver (80.0%) but 70.0% thought they would lose consciousness. Warnings on packs had little deterrent effect. Media and internet influences were identified. Patients chose paracetamol because it was cheap and easily available. CONCLUSIONS: Further measures to reduce breaches of sales guidelines and the dangers of paracetamol overdose are required. Media and internet site producers should follow guidelines on reporting suicide. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-06T21:15:58Z |
| format | Journal article |
| id | oxford-uuid:3fcb26e2-5637-4f2f-a4fb-255079d86c13 |
| institution | University of Oxford |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-06T21:15:58Z |
| publishDate | 2012 |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | oxford-uuid:3fcb26e2-5637-4f2f-a4fb-255079d86c132022-03-26T14:34:13ZWhat can be done to reduce mortality from paracetamol overdoses? A patient interview study.Journal articlehttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_dcae04bcuuid:3fcb26e2-5637-4f2f-a4fb-255079d86c13EnglishSymplectic Elements at Oxford2012Simkin, SHawton, KKapur, NGunnell, DBACKGROUND: Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is the most common self-poisoning agent in the UK and a leading cause of fatal hepatotoxicity. Following legislation in 1998 to limit pack sizes, beneficial effects on paracetamol-related mortality and morbidity were reported in England. However, there are still over 100 deaths a year and evidence of breaches of sales guidelines. AIM: To investigate characteristics of people taking larger paracetamol overdoses and compliance with sales guidelines, to inform possible further initiatives to reduce paracetamol fatalities. DESIGN AND METHODS: Interview study of 60 general hospital patients who took overdoses of over 16 paracetamol tablets (8 g). RESULTS: Half of all paracetamol overdoses involved over 16 tablets. Patients were predominantly young (three-quarters aged 16-40 years) and female (58.3%); over half (53.3%) had taken a previous paracetamol overdose. Three-quarters said they wanted to die. Half took the overdose within an hour of first thinking of it, half (53.3%) took tablets already in the home and 58.3% bought tablets specifically for the overdose. Ten people tried to buy more than 32 tablets in one transaction; four succeeded. Most knew that a paracetamol overdose could cause death or permanent damage (88.3%) and harm the liver (80.0%) but 70.0% thought they would lose consciousness. Warnings on packs had little deterrent effect. Media and internet influences were identified. Patients chose paracetamol because it was cheap and easily available. CONCLUSIONS: Further measures to reduce breaches of sales guidelines and the dangers of paracetamol overdose are required. Media and internet site producers should follow guidelines on reporting suicide. |
| spellingShingle | Simkin, S Hawton, K Kapur, N Gunnell, D What can be done to reduce mortality from paracetamol overdoses? A patient interview study. |
| title | What can be done to reduce mortality from paracetamol overdoses? A patient interview study. |
| title_full | What can be done to reduce mortality from paracetamol overdoses? A patient interview study. |
| title_fullStr | What can be done to reduce mortality from paracetamol overdoses? A patient interview study. |
| title_full_unstemmed | What can be done to reduce mortality from paracetamol overdoses? A patient interview study. |
| title_short | What can be done to reduce mortality from paracetamol overdoses? A patient interview study. |
| title_sort | what can be done to reduce mortality from paracetamol overdoses a patient interview study |
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