Riley Lubas, a 20-year-old first-year student at the University of Bath, experienced life-threatening organ failure after unintentionally overdosing on paracetamol. In March 2025, Riley caught a severe cold and treated himself with two different over-the-counter medications, both containing paracetamol, unaware of the combined risk.
A few days later, Riley began suffering from severe stomach pains and was unable to keep food down. Concerned, he contacted NHS 111, who advised him to attend the emergency department. At Royal United Hospital, tests revealed significant liver damage. Riley’s parents, Chris and Kate Lubas, travelled from their home in Newport, Wales, to support him.
Within hours, Riley’s condition deteriorated rapidly. He was transferred to King’s College Hospital in London, where he was admitted to the intensive care unit. Despite intensive treatment, he developed multiple organ failure and was placed on life support and dialysis. Doctors placed him at the top of the UK’s liver transplant waiting list due to the severity of his liver failure.
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However, after a delay in transplant surgery because of heart complications, medical staff observed unexpected improvement in Riley’s liver function. Over the following days, he was gradually taken off life support and began the difficult process of recovery, relearning basic functions such as walking and speaking after suffering further complications including a tracheostomy.
Riley spent six weeks at King’s College Hospital before returning to an intensive care unit in Newport. Reflecting on his ordeal, Riley said, “It was shocking how quickly things got worse. I thought my stomach pain was just a stomach bug because I was already ill. I’m incredibly grateful to have recovered.”
His father, Chris, emphasised the importance of awareness about the dangers of paracetamol overdose. The family has since raised funds to support King’s College Hospital ICU and campaigned for clearer warning labels on paracetamol-containing products to prevent similar incidents.
Now fully recovered, Riley has returned to his studies in creative media and works as a pub bartender, grateful for the medical care and support that saved his life.