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Paracetamol overdose risk and opioid tolerance — GPhC CRA MCQ

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HardCNS TherapeuticsParacetamol overdose risk and opioid toleranceGPhC CRA

A 60 kg patient has self-increased co-codamol 30/500 from two to three tablets four times daily for 4 days. What daily paracetamol dose and response are required?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: ASix grams daily; stop dosing and obtain urgent toxicology advice

Twelve tablets each containing 500 mg provide 6 g paracetamol daily. Repeated supratherapeutic ingestion can cause hepatotoxicity even before symptoms appear. Further paracetamol should be withheld and urgent clinical or toxicology assessment arranged; opioid tolerance also needs review.

Reference: BNF: paracetamol: https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/paracetamol/