Abstract

Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is one of the most widely used analgesics and antipyretics in the world. It's easy acquisition, however, has frequently involved it in accidental and intentional poisonings, which, depending on the dose ingested, could lead to liver damage. To counteract this problem, several countries and agencies have regulated the sale and use of paracetamol. Even so, recent studies have shown an increase in suicidal intoxications using paracetamol or other drugs, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. Aim: Characterize the variation in the number of paracetamol poisonings in Chile, registered by the Poison Control Center of the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile (CITUC), during the last 5 years. Methods: Observational study of the calls for cases of paracetamol ingestion, admitted to CITUC, between 2019 and 2023. Results: eleven thousand thirty-nine cases of paracetamol exposure were recorded, where 68.8% of these were related to suicidal ideation. This type of poisoning showed an 11% increase as of 2020. Female patients accounted for 80.3% of the cases of paracetamol ingestion for suicidal purposes, while in 56.6% of the cases of suicidal ideation, the patients reached potentially hepatotoxic doses of paracetamol. Conclusions: Paracetamol poisoning with suicidal intent has progressively and significantly increased in Chile since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. It is therefore necessary to replicate and implement preventive measures used by other countries to reduce poisonings related to this drug, in addition to taking steps to optimize the management of these cases.