Prevalence of exceeding maximum daily dose of paracetamol, and seasonal variations in cold-flu season.

ABSTRACT:

Aims

To estimate prevalence of excess intake of paracetamol and investigate seasonal variations therein.

Methods

Between 2011 and 2016, 14 481 US adults who used paracetamol in the preceding 30 days were sampled from national online panels and completed a detailed online daily diary of paracetamol medication use for 7 days. Respondents were not told that the study concerned paracetamol. Cold/flu season (CFS), identified using Google Trends data, was contrasted to off-season in symptoms, use of paracetamol medications, and consumption exceeding 4 g (the recommended daily maximum).

Results

Overall, 6.3% [95% confidence interval: 5.9-6.7%] of users exceeded 4 g on at least one day; 3.7% [3.5-3.8%] of usage days exceeded 4 g. Cold/flu symptoms were more likely to be exper

SUBMITTER: Shiffman S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5980528 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature