Adolescents' Misperceptions of the Dangerousness of Acetaminophen in Overdose

Clinical observations suggest that adolescents commonly and naively use acetaminophen in suicide attempts even when they do not wish to die. It is estimated that 18 500‐mg acetaminophen tablets can lead to hepatotoxicity, while death is usually associated with ingestion of 50 or more tablets. A samp...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Suicide & life-threatening behavior 1997, Vol.27 (3), p.274-277
Main Authors: Harris, Hope Elaine, Myers, Wade C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acetaminophen
Acetaminophen - adverse effects
Adolescent
Adolescent Attitudes
Adolescent Behavior
Adolescents
Analgesics
Analgesics, Non-Narcotic - adverse effects
Attitude to Health
Biological and medical sciences
Children & youth
Drug intoxications. Doping
Drug Overdose
Drug Use
Female
Grade 11
Health Behavior
High School Students
Humans
Male
Medical sciences
Pain Control
Pharmacology
Pharmacology. Drug treatments
Physical Education
Rural Population
Secondary Education
Student Attitudes
Suicide
Suicides & suicide attempts
Toxicology
United States
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Summary:Clinical observations suggest that adolescents commonly and naively use acetaminophen in suicide attempts even when they do not wish to die. It is estimated that 18 500‐mg acetaminophen tablets can lead to hepatotoxicity, while death is usually associated with ingestion of 50 or more tablets. A sample comprising 569 adolescent students completed an author‐designed survey assessing teenagers' knowledge of acetaminophen's therapeutic and harmful effects. The findings support our original data that adolescents have ready access to acetaminophen and use it in suicide attempts, but underestimate its potential for toxicity. Forty‐two percent of this sample underestimated the dose to cause harm, believing it would require 20 or more tablets, and 50% underestimated the dose to cause death, stating 100 or more pills would be necessary. Adolescents appear to seriously underestimate the dangerousness of acetaminophen in overdose, and lack knowledge regarding side effects of overdose.
ISSN:0363-0234
1943-278X
DOI:10.1111/j.1943-278X.1997.tb00409.x