If you suspect either an unintentional or intentional acetaminophen overdose, contact the Health Service immediately. Although an antidote to acetaminophen poisoning exists, time is a critical factor as to whether or not it will be effective. Treatment must be started within 8 hours or less to prevent permanent liver damage that could be life threatening. Use of acetaminophen or other drugs with alcohol can be dangerous. Sometimes a combination of a moderate amount of alcohol and the recommended dose of medicines causes bad side effects.
Problems can range from minor to fatal.
Generally, if one consumes three or more alcohol-containing beverages in a day, he or she should consult with a medical practitioner for advice concerning if and when to take acetaminophen or other medicines. Consult with your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you are unsure about the contents of a drug or if you plan to take more than one drug in combination with it. If the person's condition appears immediately life-threatening, such as being unconscious despite attempts to awaken, having a seizure, having severe difficulty breathing, or lacking respiration or pulse, dial 456 from a campus phone or 911 from a noncampus phone to summon paramedics. Please locate, collect, and keep all medicine containers, boxes, or wrappers present at the scene, empty or full, to send to the hospital with the patient.