Does acetaminophen affect liver function in alcoholic patients?
Acetaminophen in doses of 4 g/d did not affect liver function of alcoholic patients in this randomized study. These results do not rule out the possibility of acetaminophen-induced liver failure in alcoholic patients, especially patients with pre-existing liver disease or those who continue to drink. Patient-oriented outcomes (ie, studying chronic acetaminophen use in alcoholics to determine the incidence of developing hepatic failure) ultimately would resolve this controversy. However, these data do cast doubt on the medical myth (based on case reports) that acetaminophen use in alcoholics causes hepatotoxicity.
Saseen
Joseph J
JJ
Departments of Clinical Pharmacy and Family Medicine, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, USA. joseph.saseen@uchsc.edu
D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D000082:Acetaminophen