Acetaminophen hepatotoxicity.

Abstract

Unlike the bulk of medications, described in this fascicle, that cause liver injury in humans, acetaminophen is a non-prescription drug that can be purchased in drug stores and supermarkets without a physician's involvement. Death or severe injury is far more likely to occur with its use than with all the other medications considered in this study. Whereas attempts to control the quantity of drug ingested have been made in the United Kingdom and elsewhere in Europe, no comparable moves have taken place in the United States. The Food and Drug Administration claims to have concerns about the situation, however, but has yet to make an effort to more closely regulate the marketing and distribution of the drug. It is to be hoped that this will not be the case by the time the next issue of Drug Hepatotoxicity is scheduled for this series.