Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Why do people use paracetamol for suicide?

B G Gazzard, M Davis, J Spooner

    British Medical Journal
    |January 24, 1976
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    Related Concept Videos

    You might also read

    Related Articles

    Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

    Sort by
    Same author

    Structural Characterisation Reveals Mechanism of IL-13-Neutralising Monoclonal Antibody Tralokinumab as Inhibition of Binding to IL-13Rα1 and IL-13Rα2.

    Journal of molecular biology·2016
    Same author

    A compartmental pharmacokinetic evaluation of long-acting rilpivirine in HIV-negative volunteers for pre-exposure prophylaxis.

    Clinical pharmacology and therapeutics·2014
    Same author

    Pancreatic insufficiency in patients with HIV infection: role of didanosine questioned.

    HIV medicine·2012
    Same author

    Charcoal haemoperfusion for paracetamol overdose.

    British journal of clinical pharmacology·2012
    Same author

    Molecular dynamics calculation of molecular volumes and volumes of activation.

    Physical chemistry chemical physics : PCCP·2012
    Same author

    British HIV Association and Children's HIV Association position statement on infant feeding in the UK 2011.

    HIV medicine·2011

    Patients overdosing on paracetamol often chose it without knowing about the delayed onset of severe symptoms. Public education on paracetamol overdose effects is recommended over restricting access.

    Area of Science:

    • Pharmacology and Toxicology
    • Public Health
    • Psychiatry

    Background:

    • Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is a common over-the-counter analgesic.
    • Its use in intentional self-poisoning is a significant public health concern.
    • Understanding patient motivations for choosing paracetamol in overdose is crucial for prevention strategies.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the primary motivations behind patients selecting paracetamol for suicidal overdoses.
    • To identify factors influencing the choice of paracetamol over other potential agents.
    • To inform strategies for reducing paracetamol-related overdose morbidity and mortality.

    Main Methods:

    • A questionnaire was administered to 107 patients admitted following a paracetamol overdose.

    Related Experiment Videos

  • A subset of 48 patients were interviewed to explore their decision-making process.
  • Data collected included reasons for agent selection and method of procurement.

    • Main Results:

    • No interviewed patients would have selected paracetamol if aware of the 2-3 day delay before serious symptoms manifest.
    • The majority of paracetamol was obtained easily from retail pharmacies, not prescriptions (only 5/107 prescribed).
    • No clear, identifiable reason emerged for the preference of paracetamol as a suicidal agent.

    Conclusions:

    • Patient awareness regarding the delayed toxicity of paracetamol overdose appears to be a key unmet informational need.
    • Restricting paracetamol availability may be impractical; public education on overdose consequences is a more feasible approach.
    • Targeted public health campaigns could mitigate paracetamol's role in intentional self-harm.