Acetaminophen poisoning

Acetaminophen is a common medications found in households. It is used for the treatment of pain and to lower fever. Over many years, it has been used countless times by many people and it has proven to be an effective medication. However, if taken in excess amounts acetaminophen can cause life-threatening illness. Acetaminophen is primarily metabolized by the liver. Too much of it can overwhelm the way the liver normally functions.

Within 24 hours of a toxic dose of acetaminophen), nausea, vomiting, and abdominal tenderness may be present. Elevation of liver enzymes can occur from an acute dose as soon as 36 hours after ingestion. Within days, liver damage can result, followed by kidney damage. If liver failure occurs, mortality rates are relatively high.

The antidote to acetaminophen overdose is N-acetylcysteine (NAC). It is most effective when given within 8 hours of ingesting acetaminophen. Indeed, NAC can prevent liver failure if given early enough. For this reason, it is absolutely necessary that acetaminophen poisoning be recognized, diagnosed, and treated as early as possible.

When a person with suspected acetaminophen poisoning is admitted to a hospital, the standard treatment is to administer a prescription drug called Mucosil as rapidly as possible. This drug inhibits the buildup of toxic by-products in the liver, thus limiting free radical damage and antioxidant depletion. The main ingredient in Mucosil is the nutrient N-acetylcysteine (NAC).

If the liver is already damaged because of infection, alcohol or other illness, a person may be more susceptible to damage from acetaminophen overdose. For this reason, people with liver illnesses or people who chronically consume large amounts of alcohol should be very careful when taking acetaminophen and should consult their doctor prior to taking acetaminophen compounds. Anyone consuming more than 3 alcoholic beverages per day should not take acetaminophen or other over-the-counter pain medications.

Long-term use of acetaminophen in recommended doses has not been shown to be harmful to the liver, even when combined with moderate alcohol consumption.