Case Reports
Paracetamol poisoning below toxic level causing liver damage in a fasting adult
Authors:
WKB Kasun Fernando,
South Asian Clinical Toxicology Research Collaboration (SACTRC), Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, LK
PL Ariyananda
Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna, LK
Abstract
In many countries, paracetamol ranks at the top of all known poisoning agents implicated in accidental or intentional poisoning. In general, liver injury caused by drugs is known to be either type A "dose dependent" (intrinsic toxicity) or type B idiosyncratic. Perhaps with the exception of single high dose of drug induced liver injury, most drug induced liver injury (DILI) cases evaluated in clinical practice are considered as idiosyncratic.
Hepatotoxicity is the major manifestation of paracetamol poisoning, although kidneys and heart may also be affected in severe poisoning. N-acetylcysteine prevents toxicity if given within the first eight hours but is also of benefit in patients presenting late or with established hepatotoxicity.
doi: 10.4038/cmj.v54i1.467
Ceylon Medical Journal Vol.54(1) 2009 p.16-17
How to Cite:
Fernando, W.K. and Ariyananda, P., 2009. Paracetamol poisoning below toxic level causing liver damage in a fasting adult. Ceylon Medical Journal, 54(1), pp.16–17. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/cmj.v54i1.467
2007
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Published on
21 Apr 2009.
Peer Reviewed
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