Paracetamolförgiftningar allt vanligare. Giftinformationscentralen slår larm - hög tid för motåtgärder
Sammanfattning
In recent years the number of patients hospitalized with paracetamol poisoning in Sweden has increased considerably, resulting in significant harm to individuals and the community. The magnitude of this problem has reached a level motivating strong efforts to implement preventive measures. During the year 2012, approximately 1?500–2?000 cases of paracetamol poisoning were hospitalized in Sweden (nine million inhabitants). In some countries reductions in packet size has had a limited positive effect, but the Swedish Poisons Information Centre recommends that even more extensive restrictions should be enforced. Over-the-counter sales of paracetamol should be limited to small bottles with oral solution intended for children, suppositories and effervescent tablets. The marketing of strong one gram tablets, extended release preparations and flavored pills can be questioned. Physicians are encouraged to prescribe only the minimum needed amount of paracetamol and thoroughly inform their patients about the risks involved with overdose.