Acetaminophen Poisoning: Medical Management and Safety Considerations

Course overview

Acetaminophen poisoning is a leading cause of drug-induced liver injury in the United States, often resulting from unintentional overdoses or intentional ingestion. Acetaminophen is widely used for pain and fever management, but excessive doses lead to the accumulation of its toxic metabolite, N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI), which causes hepatocellular damage. Toxicity progresses through four stages, ranging from nonspecific symptoms like nausea and vomiting to severe liver failure and death in untreated cases. Early recognition is critical, as timely administration of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) effectively detoxifies NAPQI and prevents severe outcomes.