Paracetamol is one of the safest drugs when taken in the correct dosage, but overdose may occur inadvertently or deliberately. Initially there may be no symptomis or there may be nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and pallor. Then, 16-24 hours after ingestion, liver damage becomes evident and by 72—120 hours the patient may have jaundice, coagulation abnormalities, hepatic failure, renal failure, encephalopathy and coma. Treatment involves the administration of antidotes such as methionine (within 8 hours) orally or intravenous acetylcysteine.