Original Report

Paracetamol pack size restriction: the impact on paracetamol poisoning and the over-the-counter supply of paracetamol, aspirin and ibuprofen

  1. Christopher L. Sheen1,*,
  2. John F. Dillon2,
  3. D. Nicholas Bateman3,
  4. Kenneth J. Simpson4,
  5. Thomas M. MacDonald1

Article first published online: 18 APR 2002

DOI: 10.1002/pds.701

Issue

Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety

Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety

Volume 11, Issue 4, pages 329–331, June 2002

Additional Information

How to Cite

Sheen, C. L., Dillon, J. F., Bateman, D. N., Simpson, K. J. and MacDonald, T. M. (2002), Paracetamol pack size restriction: the impact on paracetamol poisoning and the over-the-counter supply of paracetamol, aspirin and ibuprofen. Pharmacoepidem. Drug Safe., 11: 329–331. doi: 10.1002/pds.701

Author Information

  1. 1

    Medicines Monitoring Unit, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, Scotland, UK

  2. 2

    Department of Gastroenterology, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, Scotland, UK

  3. 3

    Scottish Poisons Information Bureau, Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

  4. 4

    Scottish Liver Transplant Unit, Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

*Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee DD1 9SY, Scotland, UK.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 6 JUN 2002
  2. Article first published online: 18 APR 2002
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 11 FEB 2002
  4. Manuscript Revised: 7 FEB 2002
  5. Manuscript Received: 28 NOV 2001

Funded by

  • Pfizer Inc. USA

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Keywords:

  • paracetamol;
  • aspirin;
  • ibuprofen;
  • over-the-counter;
  • poisoning

Abstract

Purpose

Self-poisoning occurs with over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, particularly paracetamol (acetaminophen). In 1998, OTC pack sizes of paracetamol were reduced. We have studied the effect of this pack size restriction on OTC supply of paracetamol, aspirin and ibuprofen.

Methods

IMS Health UK provided data on the UK sales of paracetamol, aspirin and ibuprofen. The total mass and number of packs of each drug supplied were compared for the years 1998, 1999 and 2000.

Results

The mass of aspirin and paracetamol sold fell, that of ibuprofen increased. The number of paracetamol packs sold was unchanged, the analgesic dose of aspirin fell and ibuprofen supply increased.

Conclusions

It seems that the paracetamol pack size reduction has not achieved as large an overdose rate reduction as might have been expected. Instead, a shift to the use of ibuprofen may lead to an increase in gastrointestinal adverse events and continue the burden on healthcare resources. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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