Liver failure induced by paracetamol

A review of the hepatotoxicity of paracetamol at therapeutic or near-therapeutic dose levels, with particular reference to alcohol abusers

The number of published reports associating hepatotoxicity with paracetamol ingestion at therapeutic or near-therapeutic dose levels is small but is, nevertheless, suggestive of a relationship. There is however, mounting evidence that certain groups of patients, such as alcohol-dependent people, patients receiving enzyme-inducing drugs (particularly anti-convulsant and anti-tuberculosis medications) as well as those with certain infectious diseases, are rendered more susceptible to paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity. Seventy-four case reports where therapeutic or near-therapeutic doses of paracetamol resulted in hepatic injury are reviewed and factors and mechanisms which might explain this apparently increased vulnerability to damage are discussed.