In Finland, increasing concerns have been raised regarding the dangers of over-the-counter medications, particularly acetaminophen, as several articles have reported on young individuals being hospitalized due to overdoses. This alarming trend appears to be fueled by social media challenges that encourage misuse, prompting warnings from health authorities such as Fimea, which alerted the public in early February about a challenge related to the misuse of acetaminophen and other self-care drugs.

The situation has garnered attention from child welfare organizations like the Mannerheim League for Child Welfare, which has also issued advisories on the risks associated with dangerous social media challenges. These challenges have not only led to health risks for individuals but have also raised alarms about the potential for severe consequences, including the need for liver transplants or even death when the recommended dosage is exceeded. The general guideline for adults is a daily maximum of about 3 grams of acetaminophen, and exceeding this limit increases the risk of liver damage significantly.

A mother named Kirsi from Uusimaa shares a personal experience regarding her daughter, who is in her twenties and has faced health risks related to unnecessary acetaminophen use. This highlights the urgent need for increased awareness and education among parents and young individuals about the potential dangers of misusing common medications that are otherwise safe when used properly. With hospitals seeing more cases of overdose, the call for action from health professionals becomes increasingly critical to prevent further tragedies.