Paracetamol level (From Outsource UK)

Specimen Required

3 Clotted Blood Samples

Fasting Required

Purpose of the Test

In order to assess risk of liver damage after overdose and to decide on the need for protective antidote treatment. The antidote (N-acetyl cysteine) needs to be given within eight hours of the overdose to be most effective. After eight hours, efficacy decreases sharply, but the antidote should still be given up to 15 hours after the overdose.

When this test is required

When paracetamol overdosage is a possibility, either because the patient is known to have taken paracetamol or in the case of an unknown drug overdose. The test must be performed at least four hours after suspected ingestion of the drug to allow accurate measurements to be made of the amount of drug that has been absorbed into the body.

What the Test Detects

The plasma or serum paracetamol concentration is being measured.See MoreSee Less

Preparation for the Test

No test preparation is needed

Sample Requirements

A blood sample taken from a vein usually in an arm

Additional Notes

Taking as few as ten 500 milligram paracetamol tablets at once can cause serious, possibly fatal liver, damage presenting 2-4 days after the overdose unless antidote treatment is given within 15 hours. It is likely that there will be no symptoms of poisoning for 24-36 hours after taking the paracetamol even if a potentially fatal dose has been ingested. If any amount of paracetamol above the recommended dose has been taken, medical help should be sought as soon as possible.Many prescription and non-prescription medications contain paracetamol in combination with other drugs. Read the label carefully, and never take more than one preparation containing paracetamol at a time.

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