How Tylenol Causes Liver Damage
Acute Liver Failure Linked to Acetaminophen Toxicity
In January 2011 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a Drug Safety Communication requesting drug manufacturers to limit the amount of acetaminophen in medications to 325 mg. In June 2009, the Joint Meeting of the Drug Safety and Risk Management Advisory Committee of the FDA reported that acute liver failure (ALF) is directly caused by acetaminophen toxicity. Researchers have reported that liver toxicity from acetaminophen poisoning is the leading cause of ALF in the U.S.
Acetaminophen, the most widely used over-the-counter pain medication, is the ingredient in Tylenol products. Acetaminophen is rapidly absorbed from the stomach and metabolized in the liver. In the event the maximum daily dosage (3900 mg.) is exceeded over a period of time, liver metabolism becomes saturated, causing severe cell damage from the production of the toxin metabolite (NAPQ1) found in acetaminophen.
The liver, which produces bile, functions by breaking down substances and chemicals in the digestive system and removing waste products from the blood and is crucial in the production of blood clotting factors and red blood cells.
ALF occurs with rapid deterioration of liver function. This is a life-threatening condition and requires immediate medical care and hospitalization. If diagnosed in early stages, ALF caused by acetaminophen toxicity can sometimes be treated. Patients suspected of having taken an overdose of acetaminophen are often given an oral antidote, N-acetyl cysteine, effective in detoxification of the toxin metabolite, which can be effective if administered within eight hours of the suspected overdose. Unfortunately, despite aggressive medical treatment, many die. In severe cases, liver transplantation may be the only cure.
Initial symptoms of ALF may include: loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting; fatigue and diarrhea. As ALF progresses, the predominant symptom is jaundice, in which the skin and whites of the eyes turn yellow or orange. Other symptoms include: loss of appetite; weight loss; anemia; nausea and vomiting; blood in urine; stool color changes; abdominal bloating; excessive thirst; dizziness; depression; seizures; and stroke. Cerebral edema (swelling of the brain) is the leading cause of death from ALF. The final stages of ALF result in multi-system organ failure, coma and death.
Information regarding acute liver failure as a result of acetaminophen (Tylenol) toxicity is widely available on the internet. Websites sponsored by the FDA, Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Physician's Desk Reference (PDR), and Medline, just to mention a few, are valuable resources. If liver symptoms have occurred, it is of the utmost importance that medical treatment be sought immediately. It is advisable to contact an attorney specializing in personal injury and products liability claims for legal advice and guidance regarding possible financial compensation available through the legal system.
