Acetaminophen toxicity

Acetaminophen is the most widely used and recommended nonprescription analgesic and antipyretic medication in the United States (Rose, 1994). Because acetaminophen is widely advertised and readily available over the counter, consumers as well as health care professionals perceive this medication to be nontoxic. Large or repeated doses of acetaminophen can produce hepatotoxicity, which can occur within 24 hours of an overdose. However, because the signs and symptoms of acetaminophen overdose mimic common illnesses, the real diagnosis may go undetected (Baer & Williams, 1996). Early detection and treatment of acetaminophen overdose is imperative to avoid hepatotoxicity. Nurses play a key role in early identification of both recommended dosages and the clinical features that are associated with acetaminophen toxicity.