What daily dosage of acetaminophen is associated with liver damage?

What daily dosage of acetaminophen is associated with liver damage?

• A. Greater than 1000 mg.
• B. Greater than 500 mg.
• C. Greater than 3500 mg.
• D. Greater than 200 mg.

Answer: (C)

High daily acetaminophen exposure carries a risk of liver injury because the liver’s normal safe-metabolism pathways can be overwhelmed. When taken in large amounts, more acetaminophen is shunted into a toxic metabolite (NAPQI). Normally NAPQI is neutralized by glutathione, but with higher doses, glutathione stores can be depleted, allowing liver-damaging effects to occur. This risk rises as the daily dose approaches the upper recommended limit. In adults, the general maximum is about 4,000 mg in 24 hours, but injury risk becomes more likely once daily intake exceeds roughly 3,500 mg. Therefore, daily amounts greater than 3,500 mg are the ones associated with liver damage. The smaller daily doses listed are well below the threshold that typically leads to hepatotoxicity in healthy adults.

High daily acetaminophen exposure carries a risk of liver injury because the liver’s normal safe-metabolism pathways can be overwhelmed. When taken in large amounts, more acetaminophen is shunted into a toxic metabolite (NAPQI). Normally NAPQI is neutralized by glutathione, but with higher doses, glutathione stores can be depleted, allowing liver-damaging effects to occur. This risk rises as the daily dose approaches the upper recommended limit. In adults, the general maximum is about 4,000 mg in 24 hours, but injury risk becomes more likely once daily intake exceeds roughly 3,500 mg. Therefore, daily amounts greater than 3,500 mg are the ones associated with liver damage. The smaller daily doses listed are well below the threshold that typically leads to hepatotoxicity in healthy adults.