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Acetaminophen and codeine overdose

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

 

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and codeine is a prescription pain medicine. It is a narcotic, which means it can make you feel sleepy.

Acetaminophen and codeine overdose occurs when someone takes more than the normal or recommended amount of this medicine, either by accident or on purpose.

This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual overdose. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual overdose. If you or someone you are with overdoses, call your local emergency number (such as 911), or your local poison center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States.

Poisonous Ingredient

 

Acetaminophen combined with codeine

 

Where Found

 

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

 

Symptoms

 

Below are symptoms of an overdose of acetaminophen combined with codeine in different parts of the body.

AIRWAYS AND LUNGS

  • Shallow breathing
  • Slow and labored breathing
  • Stopped breathing

EYES

  • Very small pupils

HEART AND BLOOD VESSELS

  • Low blood pressure

NERVOUS SYSTEM

  • Coma (lack of responsiveness)
  • Convulsions
  • Drowsiness
  • Stupor (lack of alertness)

SKIN

  • Bluish skin (fingernails and lips)
  • Cold, clammy skin
  • Heavy sweating

STOMACH AND GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Spasms of the stomach and intestines
  • Liver failure

URINARY SYSTEM

  • Kidney failure

 

Home Care

 

Seek medical help right away. This type of overdose can cause death. Do NOT make the person throw up unless poison control or a health care provider tells you to.

 

Before Calling Emergency

 

Have this information ready:

  • Person's age, weight, and condition
  • Name of the medicine and the strength of the medicine (if known)
  • Time it was swallowed
  • Amount swallowed
  • If the medicine was prescribed for the person

 

Poison Control

 

Your local poison center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) 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.

 

What to Expect at the Emergency Room

 

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

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

  • Activated charcoal
  • Blood and urine tests
  • Breathing support, including oxygen and a tube through the mouth into the lungs
  • Chest x-ray
  • CT scan (advanced imaging) of the brain
  • EKG (electrocardiogram, or heart tracing)
  • Intravenous fluids (through a vein)
  • A laxative
  • Medicine to reverse the effects of the poison and treat symptoms
  • Tube through the mouth into the stomach to empty the stomach ( gastric lavage )

If there is a high level of acetaminophen in the blood, the person will be given N-acetyl cysteine. This drug is called an antidote. It counteracts the effects of the acetaminophen. Without it, deadly liver failure may occur.

 

Outlook (Prognosis)

 

How well a person does, depends on the amount of medicine swallowed and how quickly the treatment was received. The faster a person gets medical help, the better the chance for recovery. If breathing has been depressed for a long period of time before treatment, brain injury may occur.

If an antidote can be given, recovery from an acute overdose often occurs within 24 to 48 hours. Recovery takes longer, if the liver is affected, and the person may not fully recover.

 

 

Open References

References

Bardsley CH. Opioids. In: Marx, JA, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014:chap 162.

Doyon S. Opioids. In: Tintinalli JE, Stapczynski JS, Ma OJ, Cline DM, Cydulka RK, Meckler GD, eds. Tintalli's Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide. 7th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2011:chap 180.

Ferri FF. Acetaminophen poisoning. In: Ferri FF, ed. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2015. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2014:appendix VI.

Hendrickson RG, McKeown NJ. Acetaminophen. In: Marx, JA, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014:chap 148.

Hung OL, Nelson LS. Acetaminophen. In: Tintinalli JE, Stapczynski JS, Ma OJ, Cline DM , Cydulka RK, Meckler GD, eds. Tintalli's Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide. 7th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2011:chap 184.

Kellerman RD. Physical and chemical injuries. In: Kellerman RD, ed. Conn's Current Therapy 2015. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014:chap 21.

 

        A Closer Look

         

          Self Care

           

            Tests for Acetaminophen and codeine overdose

             
               

              Review Date: 7/6/2015

              Reviewed By: Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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