Most of us recommend or take paracetamol to reduce pain or fever. As far as medications go, it’s one we’re unlikely to associate with harm.

But in a study published today in the MJA, my colleagues and I reveal a concerning increase in paracetamol poisonings, and resulting liver damage, in Australia over the past decade.

In fact, paracetamol is actually the No.1 pharmaceutical that Australian poisons centres receive calls about.

Paracetamol is safe if used appropriately, at a maximum of 4g per day in adults (equivalent to eight 500mg tablets, or six 665mg modified release tablets). However when this dose is exceeded, there is a potential for harm. And the bigger the dose, the greater the risk.