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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Rapid High-throughput Species Identification of Botanical Material Using Direct Analysis in Real Time High Resolution Mass Spectrometry

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Published on: October 2, 2016

Acetaminophen overdose in Jamaica.

M O Mills¹, M G Lee

¹Department of Medicine, The University of the West Indies, Kingston 7, Jamaica, West Indies.

The West Indian Medical Journal

|July 2, 2009

Summary

Acetaminophen overdose is a significant risk in parasuicide attempts, predominantly by young women. Early N-acetylcysteine (NAC) treatment is crucial for managing acetaminophen toxicity and preventing severe liver damage.

Area of Science:

Toxicology
Clinical Medicine
Public Health

Background:

Acetaminophen (paracetamol) is a common medication associated with intentional self-harm and overdose.
Hepatotoxicity is a known dose-dependent risk of acetaminophen ingestion.
Parasuicide attempts involving acetaminophen require careful clinical management and public health awareness.

Purpose of the Study:

To analyze cases of parasuicide attempts involving acetaminophen at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), Jamaica.
To describe the demographics, clinical presentation, and outcomes of acetaminophen overdose patients.
To highlight the need for increased awareness and timely intervention for acetaminophen toxicity.

Main Methods:

Retrospective review of 49 parasuicide cases involving acetaminophen treated at UHWI between 1994-2004.

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Published on: October 2, 2016

Data collected included patient demographics, ingested agents, time to presentation, serum transaminase levels, N-acetylcysteine (NAC) treatment, hospitalization duration, and patient outcomes.

Analysis of the role of acetaminophen as a sole agent versus in combination with other drugs.

Main Results:

The majority of patients were young women (84%, mean age 23 years).
Acetaminophen was the sole agent in 71% of cases; 29% involved co-ingestion.
Elevated serum transaminases occurred in 18% of cases, with one instance of liver failure and no deaths. NAC therapy was administered to 55% of patients.

Conclusions:

Acetaminophen overdose in parasuicide attempts presents a significant public health concern, particularly among young women.
Timely administration of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is essential for mitigating acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity.
Enhanced public and medical education is necessary to improve awareness of acetaminophen's toxic potential and promote early treatment-seeking behavior.