Health Service Executive: Paracetamol dosing for adult patients under 50kg and those with additional risk factors for hepatotoxicity (11 May 2026)

Summary

This Patient Safety Supplement, issued by the Health Service Executive in the Republic of Ireland, aims to raise awareness among patients and healthcare staff of the risk of paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity (harm to the liver) from standard doses of paracetamol in some adult patients. Paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity may result in acute liver failure, the need for liver transplantation and/or death. Symptoms can include stomach pain, nausea (feeling sick) or vomiting, jaundice (skin or eyes look yellow), confusion, drowsiness or sleepiness and not urinating as much as normal.