What is the therapeutic use of acetaminophen and its major risk at high doses?

• A. Analgesic and antipyretic; hepatotoxicity risk with overdose or chronic use.
• B. Primary anti-inflammatory agent; GI bleeding.
• C. Antiplatelet effect; anemia.
• D. Increases blood pressure.

Answer: (A)

Acetaminophen is used to relieve pain and reduce fever. It’s effective for analgesia and antipyresis, but unlike NSAIDs, it has little anti-inflammatory action. The major risk at high doses is liver injury. Most of the drug is processed safely, but a small portion is converted to a toxic metabolite that is normally neutralized by glutathione. When overdose or chronic overuse occurs, glutathione stores can be depleted, allowing the toxic metabolite to damage liver cells and potentially cause acute liver failure. That’s why keeping to recommended daily limits is crucial, and why early treatment with N-acetylcysteine can replenish glutathione and reduce risk if an overdose is suspected.