Paracetamol poisoning at Groote Schuur Hospital. A 5-year experience.

A retrospective study was undertaken to investigate experience at Groote Schuur Hospital of paracetamol poisoning from 1981 to 1985. The major points noted in the 91 cases studied were, firstly, that paracetamol poisoning is a common toxicological event at the hospital with approximately 1 admission every 3 weeks. Secondly, there were 5 cases admitted with repeated sub-toxic overdosing with considerable associated morbidity. Thirdly, cimetidine formed part of the therapy in 10 cases, although the clinical use of the drug in this setting is not well established. Thus, although similar in many respects to other studies, this study demonstrates differences which have increased our understanding of the problem locally.