Restrictions on paracetamol have reduced amounts taken in single overdoses

In September 1998 the British government restricted the numbers of paracetamol tablets that could be bought over the counter in an attempt to reduce suicide attempts. Robinson et al compared 590 cases of self poisoning in Belfast in a six month period before the restriction with 594 cases in a six month period afterwards (p 926). The amount of paracetamol ingested, the number of patients receiving an antidote, and the serum paracetamol concentration at 4-6 hours were significantly less in the second period. There was no reduction in the number of severe paracetamol overdoses.


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Relevant Article

Severity of overdose after restriction of paracetamol availability: retrospective study
Denise Robinson, Alice M J Smith, and G Dennis Johnston
BMJ 2000 321: 926-927. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

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