Acetaminophen: hepatotoxicity at therapeutic doses and risk factors
Seirafi, M.; Iten, A.; Hadengue, A.
Revue Medicale Suisse 3(129): 2345-2349
2007
ISSN/ISBN: 1660-9379 PMID: 18018826 Document Number: 613437
Although used widely and recognized as a safe drug at therapeutic dose, acetaminophen has a narrow therapeutic margin. Its hepatotoxic potential differs for each individual and depends essentially on associated risk factors which could lead to a severe hepatotoxicity even at therapeutic doses. A systematic screening of these risk factors is essential for an accurate risk stratification and selection of the most adapted treatment strategy. In this article, we review the principal risk factors and propose an approach to aminotranferase elevation in patients using acetaminophen.