Police issue urgent warning over viral paracetamol ‘challenge’ that’s left children in hospital

TEENAGERS were rushed to hospital at the weekend after taking a paracetamol overdose to see who could remain admitted the longest.

Police described the incident in Southampton as “incredibly worrying” and urged parents to “get a grip” on their kids’ behaviour.

GettyTaking more than the recommended dose of paracetamol can be very dangerous, the NHS warns[/caption]

Donna Jones, Hampshire‘s police and crime commissioner, said what happened “put young people’s lives in danger”.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, she added: “People aged 15 to 17 decided to challenge each other to take a paracetamol overdose.

“The person who remained in hospital for the most hours would be the winner.

“It’s incredibly worrying. It’s putting young people’s lives in danger.

“This is taking up much-needed ambulance time, police time.

“We can’t afford this to happen and parents need to get involved.”

Ms Jones blamed social media influencers for setting “challenges” for each other and the wider public.

She called on TikTok to crack down on this kind of content, as well as the planning of flash mobs and raids.

Chaos erupted on London‘s Oxford Street last week amid a mass looting stunt at JD Sports, said to be organised on social media.

Several arrests were made, and one officer was reportedly punched in the face.

Ms Jones said parents should be held accountable for the actions of children taking part in criminal crazes, and even be fined.

The former magistrate added: “This is a real indication of societal breakdown.

“This is taking away police hours from operational policing that they should be doing to keep genuine people that need protecting safe.

“We need to send a clear message – this is not acceptable and the parents need to be held accountable.

“They need to get a grip of what their children are doing. It’s not down to the police.”

Paracetamol is a commonly used medicine that can help treat pain and reduce a high temperature.

It comes in tablets, capsules, syrups, powders and suppositories.

Adults can take two, 500mg tablets, up to four times in 24 hours, but there must be at least four hours between doses, according to the NHS.

People should never take more than eight tablets in 24 hours.

Taking too much, known as an overdose, can be very dangerous.

It can cause serious liver damage and failure, kidney damage, blood abnormalities and, in serious cases, death, so often needs urgent treatment.

If you have taken more paracetamol than the recommended maximum, you should visit your nearest A&E as soon as possible.

Chaos erupted on Oxford Street in London last week