ABSTRACT
Acetaminophen is a nonopioid analgesic and antipyretic available in several hundred products with Tylenol being the most well-known. The toxicity of acetaminophen continues to be underestimated by many people despite intense public information campaigns to rectify this impression. Acetaminophen in therapeutic doses is metabolized to inactive metabolites in the liver. When the metabolizing capacity is exceeded in overdoses, a toxic intermediate metabolite accumulates that destroys liver cells. In 2010, a 25-year-old female exercise instructor died from acetaminophen-induced liver failure. The case illustrates the potential lethality of acetaminophen in suicidal ingestions, and touches on the complications and ethical consideration in treating individuals having poor prospects for healthy living with organ transplantation when organ donors are limited in number. Blood alcohol was undetectable and liver enzymes were elevated. At this point, the intravenous administration of the acetaminophen poisoning antidote was initiated.
