| Subject | Contents |
| Definition | This poisoning is from an overdose of acetaminophen with codeine. |
| Alternative Names | Tylenol # 3 |
| Poisonous Ingredient | Acetaminophen Codeine |
| Where Found | Tylenol No. 3 Note: This list may not be all inclusive. |
| Symptoms | RespiratoryBreathing slow and labored (from the codeine) Breathing shallow (from the codeine) Respiratory arrest (from the codeine) Eyes, ears, nose, and throat Pinpoint pupils (from the codeine) Skin Bluish skin (fingernails and lips) Gastrointestinal Spasms of the stomach and/or intestinal tract Vomiting Acetaminophen overdose over a certain toxic level leads to liver failure unless the antidote, N-Acetyl-cysteine, is given Heart and blood vessels Low blood pressure (from the codeine) Nervous system Drowsiness (from the codeine) |
| Home Treatment | Seek emergency medical care immediately. Both Tylenol and codeine overdoses can be rapidly fatal. DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING .
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| Before Calling Emergency | Determine the following information: The patient's age, weight, and condition The name of the product (as well as the ingredients and strength, if known) The time it was swallowed The amount swallowed If the medication was prescribed for the patient |
| Poison Control, or a local emergency number | See Poison Control Centers for telephone numbers and addresses. Take the container with you to the emergency room.
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| What to expect at the emergency room | For swallowed poison
Placement of a tube down the nose and into the stomach (a nasogastric tube, or an NG tube) to wash out the stomach (gastric lavage). Activated charcoal administration. Give IV fluids. Admission to the hospital. For Tylenol, N-Acetyl cysteine is given if the blood Tylenol level is high enough. Without the antidote, the patient has fatal liver failure. Treat the symptoms. Give a counteracting medication (narcotic antagonist). Multiple doses may be needed. |
| Expectations (prognosis) | If an antidote can be given, recovery from an acute overdose often occurs within 24-48 hours. |
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