Tylenol is the brand name for the popular pain medication acetaminophen. Although safe when taken in the recommended dosages, taking too much can be dangerous. Tylenol is toxic to many of the body's systems. The most severe damage is to the digestive tract--specifically the liver--because that is where it is broken down. An overdose of acetaminophen is a medical emergency and should be treated as such. In case of overdose, call 911 or your local poison control center.
Indigestion and Gastritis
An overdose of Tylenol can cause chemical irritation to the stomach and lead to severe inflammation of the stomach lining. This medical condition is called gastritis. In some cases, the first part of the small intestine is also affected. Severe or chronic gastritis caused by taking too much acetaminophen will increase the risk of upper abdominal bleeding and stomach ulcers. Patients will experience considerable pain and discomfort. Early warning signs of gastritis can manifest as indigestion and a burning, gnawing type of pain. Stopping the use of Tylenol will help the stomach lining to recover and heal.
Severe Upset Stomach and Vomiting
A side effect of taking too much Tylenol is severe upset stomach, which will present as persistent, sharp upper-abdominal pain. Most patients will also experience nausea and vomiting as the body attempts to eliminate the excess drug and its toxic by-products (metabolites) from the stomach, the digestive tract and the blood circulation.
Liver damage, Jaundice, Liver failure
Ingestion of too much Tylenol will have negative side effects on the liver, causing liver cell (hepatocyte) injury, liver damage and, in severe cases, liver failure. Damaged liver cells will leak a substance called bilirubin into the blood. Bilirubin causes the skin and the whites of the eyes (conjunctiva) to turn yellow. This condition is known as jaundice. Because jaundice is representative of liver damage, the severity and length of the jaundice represent the amount of damage suffered by the liver. In many cases, severe Tylenol toxicity will increase the risk of liver failure. In these situations, a liver transplant is necessary if the patient is to survive.
Loss of Appetite, Fever and Stools Color
Individuals taking constant high dosages of Tylenol can present with symptoms such as loss of appetite accompanied by fever, clay-colored stools or dark urine. People presenting with these signs and symptoms must seek immediate medical attention since it could signify lower gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding in the digestive system or late-stage liver damage.
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