Tragic Death of Young Woman Following Paracetamol Overdose and Subsequent Use
A heartbroken young woman who survived a deliberate paracetamol overdose after a relationship breakdown tragically died weeks later when she took the painkiller for toothache, a coroner's inquest has heard. Jessica Reynolds, 23, attempted to take her own life in June last year following a painful split with her partner. She did not seek medical intervention afterwards and struggled to access mental health support during this critical period.
Rapid Decline in Health
The following month, Ms Reynolds, of Buxton near Aylsham in Norfolk, began experiencing increasingly severe symptoms including breathlessness, vomiting, and confusion. Believing she was having an allergic reaction, she went to hospital with her mother, where doctors discovered she had catastrophic liver failure. Medical professionals confirmed this was caused by a toxic build-up of paracetamol in her body from both the suicide attempt and her subsequent use of an entire packet every two days to manage dental pain.
Despite receiving dialysis and being placed on an urgent transplant register, her organs began to shut down and she died days later. Recording a narrative conclusion, coroner Robert Weyell stated: 'I do not conclude that she intended to take her own life.'
Family Tributes and Background
Ms Reynolds' brother, Albert Snow, described his sister as a 'loved and cherished person' in a statement read to Norwich Coroners Court. He said: 'Jess was bright, funny, caring and creative. She faced challenges but fought through them and still managed to bring joy. She was the best sibling anyone could ask for.'
The inquest heard that Ms Reynolds had quit university after the trauma of her father's death and moved back to the family home. She began working as a receptionist and her mental health improved, leading to her starting a relationship. However, when the couple split up, she took the overdose last summer.
Her brother told the hearing: 'She tried to get mental health support but struggled to find the help she needed.' Ms Reynolds, who had a history of anxiety and depression and had previously undergone therapy, had a medical appointment the following month after complaining of swollen gums.
Medical Timeline and Treatment
She was prescribed antibiotics after being diagnosed with gingivitis and advised to see a dentist for toothache. But she quickly began to deteriorate, experiencing confusion, breathlessness and vomiting. She attended Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital with her mother, where doctors initially suspected sepsis.
Tests revealed she was suffering liver failure as a result of paracetamol toxicity. Ms Reynolds was urgently transferred to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, where consultants were informed about the previous overdose and the substantial amount of paracetamol she had been taking for dental pain.
She was admitted to intensive care where medication was administered to counteract paracetamol poisoning and underwent dialysis after her kidneys failed. Her condition continued to worsen and she was placed on the urgent liver transplant list before her heart stopped in the early hours of July 25.
Post-Mortem Findings and Coroner's Comments
A post-mortem examination showed she had sustained massive liver damage consistent with paracetamol toxicity, with death caused by multi-organ failure. Offering his condolences to Ms Reynolds' relatives, Mr Weyell said she had been a 'loved and valued member of a caring family.'
Broader Context of Paracetamol Safety
The Government introduced legislation in 1998 restricting over-the-counter pack sizes of paracetamol to a maximum of 16 tablets with a two-packet purchase limit. However, experts have warned that accidental paracetamol overdosing, both privately by individuals and of NHS patients by medical staff, remains a significant and ongoing problem in healthcare settings across the country.
