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Desiree Phillips died after taking too much paracetamol, inquest told Paracetamol death: Desiree Phillips died after taking too much, inquest told
(40 minutes later)
A coroner has recorded a narrative verdict on a 20-year-old woman who died after taking paracetamol. A 20-year-old mother from Carmarthenshire died after taking too much paracetamol, an inquest has heard.
Desiree Phillips, from Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, suffered liver failure after taking too much. Desiree Phillips, from Llanelli, was buying the painkillers over the counter and the coroner, Mark Leyton, said she may have exceeded the normal dose.
Camarthenshire and Pembrokeshire Mark Leyton said she had used paracetamol for a "significant period" of days before her death. She died in August after suffering liver failure.
But he said it was not clear whether a gradual build-up or a large dosage was responsible for her death. The coroner recorded a narrative verdict and said it was not clear whether a gradual build-up or a large dosage was responsible for her death.
He said she may have exceeded the recommended dose of paracetamol and she may also have taken a large quantity. Her grandfather Desmond Phillips told the hearing in Llanelli: "Desiree's death was sudden, tragic and unexpected.
"She died from self-administered drug poisoning," he said. "She's had routine surgery for lumps in her breasts which were not cancerous.
"The question of intent remains unclear". "Afterwards she was in a lot of pain - we had to look after her baby because it hurt her too much to hold him.
More to follow. "She had taken paracetamol to ease the pain - she was taking a few too many over the daily dose but we never expected this to happen."
Ms Phillips, who had an 11-month-old son, was found passed out by her new boyfriend Andrew Laycock at her home.
She was taken to hospital where doctors diagnosed liver failure due to paracetamol poisoning.
She was transferred to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham for a liver transplant operation but died when it failed.
The cause of death was liver failure caused by paracetamol toxicity. The inquest heard that there were high levels of painkillers in her bloodstream.
'Drug poisoning'
Mr Laycock told the inquest: "I was concerned because I'd not had any texts from Desiree so I went around to the house.
"She was curled up on the sofa and I could see she's been sick. There were packets of paracetamol there.
"I called an ambulance and she was rushed to hospital.
"A doctor told me it was serious so I waited through the night with her."
The Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire coroner said: "Desiree was using paracetamol for pain relief and may have been exceeding the normal dose.
"But it remains unclear whether it was a build-up or whether she took a large single dose."
Mr Leyton added: "She died from self-administered drug poisoning. The question of intent remains unclear".
'Infectious personality'
Ms Phillips' 18-month-old son Jayden is now being cared for by her family.
After the inquest, her mother Ayshea, 39, said: "Desiree was beautiful and had an infectious personality, she was always bubbly and we were always having a laugh.
"She loved Jayden, she couldn't do enough for him. He doesn't deserve to be growing up without a mum because of this."
A Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency spokesman said: "Paracetamol is a safe and effective painkiller when used correctly and when dosage recommendations are followed.
"Every pack has a warning about overdose and instructions not to take more than eight tablets in any 24-hour period."