A University of Bath student nearly died after accidentally taking two different over-the-counter medicines containing paracetamol, an ordeal that left him suffering multiple organ failure and requiring intensive care.
Riley Lubas, 20, from Newport, Wales, became seriously ill in March 2025 while studying creative media during his first year at university.
What initially appeared to be an ordinary cold developed into a medical emergency after Riley unknowingly combined medicines that both contained paracetamol.
His experience has since become a warning about the importance of checking the active ingredients in medicines before taking different products together.
How Riley Lubas Became Seriously Ill
Riley became unwell with what he initially believed was a routine cold or “freshers’ flu.”
Like many students dealing with cold symptoms, he purchased over-the-counter medication to help manage his illness.
The problem was that he did not realise two of the medicines he was taking contained paracetamol.
After several days, Riley developed severe stomach pain and struggled to keep food down. His flatmates encouraged him to seek medical help, and he contacted NHS 111 before being advised to attend hospital.
Doctors at the Royal United Hospital in Bath discovered that his liver was experiencing severe damage.
Liver Failure and Multiple Organ Failure
Riley’s condition deteriorated rapidly.
His parents, Chris and Kate Lubas, travelled from Newport after learning how seriously their son had become ill.
Medical staff initially investigated other possible explanations for the liver damage before Riley’s family was able to identify the two medicines he had been taking.
The medications helped doctors understand that an accidental paracetamol overdose was responsible for the severe poisoning.
Riley was eventually transferred to King’s College Hospital in London, where he was treated in a specialist intensive care unit.
He developed multiple organ failure and required life support and dialysis.
His liver was failing, while his kidneys and lungs also stopped functioning properly. Doctors were additionally concerned about fluid accumulating in his brain.
Riley Was Placed on the Liver Transplant List
Because of the severity of the liver damage, Riley was placed at the top of the UK’s liver transplant list.
His family feared that the damage could be irreversible.
However, doctors began noticing signs that his liver was recovering.
The improvement continued, and Riley eventually avoided a liver transplant.
About a week after being placed on life support and dialysis, he was able to come off both forms of treatment as his condition improved.
His recovery was considered particularly significant given how rapidly his organs had deteriorated.
Riley Had to Learn to Walk and Talk Again
Surviving the overdose was only the beginning of Riley’s recovery.
After spending several weeks critically ill, he faced a long rehabilitation process.
Riley had undergone a tracheostomy, meaning he had to relearn how to speak after being unable to use his voice normally.
The effects of multiple organ failure and prolonged critical illness also left him needing to rebuild his strength and learn to walk again.
He spent approximately six weeks at King’s College Hospital before being transferred to an intensive care unit closer to his home in Newport.
His family described his recovery as remarkable.
Riley Lubas Has Recovered
Riley ultimately made a full recovery and returned to normal life.
He is now working as a bartender in Newport.
Reflecting on the experience, Riley has described how quickly his condition deteriorated after what he initially believed was an ordinary illness.
His family has since used the experience to raise awareness about accidental paracetamol overdoses, particularly among young people who may take multiple cold, flu or pain-relief products without realising they contain the same active ingredient.
Family Raises Awareness After Riley’s Overdose
Riley’s parents, Chris and Kate, have continued speaking about what happened to their son.
In September 2026, they completed a 50-kilometre hike across the Gower Peninsula to raise money for King’s College Hospital’s intensive care unit.
The fundraising effort also aims to increase awareness of the dangers of accidentally taking too much paracetamol.
The family has raised concerns about how clearly combination medicines identify the presence of paracetamol and wants consumers to be more aware of the risks before combining products.
What Riley’s Story Shows About Paracetamol
Paracetamol is widely used to treat pain and fever and is included in numerous cold and flu medicines.
The danger in Riley’s case was not an intentional overdose. He did not realise that the different products he was taking contained the same active ingredient.
That can make accidental overdosing particularly difficult to recognise.
People taking multiple medicines should carefully check the packaging and active ingredients to determine whether more than one product contains paracetamol.
If someone may have taken more than the recommended amount, medical advice should be sought promptly rather than waiting for serious symptoms to develop.
Riley Lubas Overdose Details at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Riley Lubas |
| Age | 20 |
| Residence | Newport, Wales |
| University | University of Bath |
| Course | Creative media |
| Incident | Accidental paracetamol overdose |
| Year of overdose | March 2025 |
| Cause | Unknowingly combined two medicines containing paracetamol |
| Initial illness | Severe cold / presumed freshers’ flu |
| Major complication | Acute liver failure |
| Other complications | Multiple organ failure |
| Treatment | Life support, dialysis and specialist intensive care |
| Transplant status | Placed on UK’s liver transplant list |
| Transplant received | No; liver recovered |
| Rehabilitation | Had to relearn walking and speaking |
| Hospital stay | Approximately six weeks at King’s College Hospital |
| Current status | Recovered and back working as a bartender |
| Family | Parents Chris and Kate Lubas |
| Awareness campaign | Family raising awareness about accidental paracetamol overdose |
Riley Lubas’ Story Is a Survival Story
Riley Lubas’ experience is not a death story. It is a survival story involving an accidental medication overdose that nearly resulted in fatal organ failure.
The 20-year-old student went from treating what appeared to be an ordinary cold to requiring life support, dialysis and consideration for an emergency liver transplant.
His eventual recovery allowed him to return home, rebuild his strength and resume his life.
His family is now using the experience to encourage people to check medicine labels carefully and understand that different products can contain the same active ingredient.
Disclaimer
This article concerns Riley Lubas’ reported accidental paracetamol overdose and subsequent recovery. Riley survived the medical emergency and is not being reported as deceased. Medication-related emergencies can be serious, and anyone who believes they or someone else may have taken too much paracetamol should seek urgent medical advice. Details in this article are based on publicly reported information and may be updated if additional information is released.