Health Encyclopedia

Acetaminophen and codeine overdose

Definition

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and codeine is a prescription pain medicine. It is a narcotic, which means it has the potential to relieve pain while making you feel sleepy.

Acetaminophen and codeine overdose occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally takes more than the normal or recommended amount of this medication.

Alternative Names

Tylenol # 3 overdose; Phenaphen with codeine overdose; Tylenol with codeine overdose

Poisonous Ingredient

Acetaminophen combined with codeine

Where Found

Acetaminophen with codeine is commonly sold under the name Tylenol #3.

Symptoms

Airways and lungs
- Breathing shallow
- Breathing slow and labored
- Respiratory arrest
Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
- Pinpoint pupils
Heart and blood vessels
- Low blood pressure
Nervous system
- Coma
- Convulsions
- Drowsiness
- Stupor (lack of alertness)
Skin
- Bluish skin (fingernails and lips)
- Cold, clammy skin
- Heavy sweating
Stomach and intestines
- Spasms of the stomach and intestines
- Vomiting
- Kidney and liver failure

Home Treatment

Seek immediate medical help. This type of overdose can cause death. DO NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by Poison Control or a health care professional.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

Patient's age, weight, and condition
Name of the product (as well as the ingredients and strength, if known)
Time it was swallowed
Amount swallowed
If the medication was prescribed for the patient

Poison Control, or a local emergency number

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.

See: Poison control center - emergency number

What to expect at the emergency room

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. The patient may be admitted to the hospital and may receive:

Activated charcoal
Breathing support (artificial respiration)
Fluids by IV
Medicine (antidote) called naloxone to reverse the effect of the poison (multiple doses may be needed)
Tube thru the mouth into the stomach to empty the stomach (gastric lavage)

If there is a high level of acetaminophen in the blood, the patient will be given N-Acetyl cysteine. Without this counteracting drug, called an antidote, deadly liver failure will occur.

Expectations (prognosis)

If an antidote can be given, recovery from an acute overdose often occurs within 24-48 hours.

Review Date:10/29/2007
Reviewed By:Eric Perez, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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