The Belgian Poison Control Centre has issued a warning about the risk of paracetamol overdose among teenagers, parents, schools, and caregivers, reports the Gazet van Antwerpen on Monday.
A new trend on the social media platform TikTok called the "paracetamol challenge" has raised concerns. Teenagers are encouraged to overdose on paracetamol to see who can stay in the hospital the longest.
"This trend first appeared in August 2023, primarily in the USA, but it has now spread worldwide and is also affecting us here," said the spokesperson for the Poison Control Centre. "These young people are engaging in a dangerous competition that could be fatal."
An overdose of paracetamol can cause severe liver damage, potentially requiring a transplant. "It can also lead to kidney damage, brain function disorders, or brain swelling. In the worst cases, it can even result in death."
Dr Gerlant Van Berlaer of UZ Brussel, who oversees the paediatric intensive care unit, states that paracetamol poisoning is among the top ten causes of child hospitalisations in intensive care.
Paracetamol poisoning is among the top ten causes of child hospitalisations in intensive care, according to UZ Brussels' Dr Gerlant Van Berlaer.
The Belgian Poison Control Centre can be contacted directly and free of charge at 070245245.
