[Increase in paracetamol poisoning]

During the last 5 years a continuous increase of the number of intoxications with the analgesic paracetamol has been realized. Most cases were due to attempted suicides whereas few cases resulted from accidental overdosing to small children. In the latter case two to threefold overdoses often caused serious intoxications. Whereas the number of attempted suicides with other drugs remained constant only those with paracetamol increased. In contrast to attempted suicides with other drugs people below 20 years form the major group of those taking paracetamol.