ABSTRACT
Background: Paracetamol overdose is common and has such serious consequences as hepatic toxicity. The aim of this study was to characterize patients in a sample from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [KSA] with paracetamol overdose
Materials and Methods: Retrospective chart review [July 1997 to December 2012] for all patients above the age of 18 years with the diagnosis of paracetamol overdose at a university hospital
Results: A total of 86 patients with paracetamol overdose were analyzed, about 70% of these patients were young females. 80% were attempts at suicide. 56% of the patients received N-acetylcysteine. Two patients developed hepatic toxicity. There were no mortalities and the average hospital stay was 4.8 +/- 4.9 days
Conclusion: Paracetamol overdose is frequently seen in young females attempting suicide. In KSA, it tends to have a low rate of hepatic toxicity