ULS Santa Maria warns of increase in voluntary medication overdoses among young people

Thursday, 19 February 2026RSS
ULS Santa Maria warns of increase in voluntary medication overdoses among young people

In 2025, the hospital recorded 72 cases of voluntary medication overdoses. Authorities are warning about the risks of the “paracetamol challenge,” which has been circulating on social media.

Context & Explainers

The 'Paracetamol Challenge' is a dangerous social‑media stunt that encourages people to take large or repeated doses of paracetamol (acetaminophen) to test tolerance or get attention. Overdoses can cause severe, sometimes fatal, liver failure and need urgent hospital treatment with antidotes like N‑acetylcysteine, so Portuguese medical groups have warned people not to try it.

The Portuguese Pharmaceutical Association (Ordem dos Farmacêuticos) is the professional regulator for pharmacists in Portugal, responsible for licensing, ethics and professional standards. It issues guidance to pharmacies, handles complaints and can discipline members, so patients and pharmacists look to it for safety advice and drug‑supply information.

AI Summary AvailableULS Santa Maria reports increase in voluntary medication overdoses among young peopleRead the synthesized summary with context and explainers
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