- (ANI) -- Researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern
Medical Center have found that nearly half of all cases of acute liver
failure could have been caused by overdose of acetominophen.
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- The researchers have produced the first survey of the
causes and outcomes of acute liver failure in the United States.
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- They found that 39 per cent of cases result from an overdose
of acetominophen. And, of these, more than half are accidental overdoses
(compared to the UK, where more overdoses are deliberate).
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- Another 13 per cent of cases of liver failure arose from
adverse drug reactions and another 12 per cent from hepatitis A or B. However,
the causes of the other cases remained unknown.
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- Sixty eight per cent of those with liver failure related
to acetominophen overdose recovered with supportive care, while six per
cent needed a liver transplant.
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- Only 25 per cent of those whose problem was related to
an adverse drug reaction recovered. The report underlines the potential
dangers of acetominophen - all those with liver failure had taken more
than the maximum daily dose of four grams.
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- But acetominophen remains a very safe drug - so long
as it is taken strictly as recommended, the researchers concluded. (ANI)
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