A growing number of teenage users on the social network TikTok are taking part in a dangerous new challenge involving swallowing as many paracetamol tablets as possible, which has already been spotted in several European countries. The active ingredient is commonly used to treat mild to moderate pain and also to reduce fever.

Symptoms of intoxication:

• nausea,
• vomiting,
• excessive sweating,
• pallor,
• lethargy, etc.

Paracetamol overdose occurs within 24 hours and can have fatal consequences (permanent liver damage, organ failure, death).

The recommended dose depends on body weight. For children, it is 10-15 mg/kg every 6 hours (max. 60 mg/kg/day). Adults and adolescents over 15 years of age take 1-2 tablets (500 mg) as needed several times a day, at least 4 hours apart (maximum 8 tablets in 24 hours).

The risk of poisoning is also increased by the fact that preparations containing paracetamol (under many different trade names) are freely available in pharmacies, on the internet, in drugstores, etc.

However, only in pharmacies can experts verify the patient's health status and warn of potential risks (e.g. combination with other preparations containing paracetamol, combination with alcohol, etc.).

Free according to the web portal of the Czech Chamber of Pharmacists, 26. 2. 2025