Acetaminophen poisoning

[Julene]

Acetaminophen poisoning can cause gastroenteritis within hours and hepatotoxicity 1 to 3 days after ingestion. Severity of hepatotoxicity after a single acute overdose is predicted by serum acetaminophen levels. Treatment is with N-acetylcysteine to prevent or minimize hepatotoxicity.
(See also General Principles of Poisoning.)
Acetaminophen is contained in gt; 100 products sold over the counter. Products include many children’s preparations in liquid, tablet, and capsule form and many cough and cold preparations. Many prescription drugs also contain acetaminophen . Consequently, acetaminophen overdose is common.