The acetaminophen experience in south Florida

Toxicology records of the Dade County Medical Examiner Department were reviewed for the years 1972 to 1981. Any case in which acetaminophen was detected, regardless of the cause of death, was included in the study. Of 95 cases where acetaminophen was detected, no trends were observable in age, sex, or race. Acetaminophen deaths have increased in recent years, probably because of increased marketing of products containing this substance. Some two thirds of the cases involved suicides or accidental deaths, with 40 cases being directly attributable to overdose with a variety of drugs. It is suggested that acetaminophen may be a useful indicator of polydrug overdoses.