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Medical Author:

Dennis Lee, MD

Dennis Lee, MD

Dr. Lee was born in Shanghai, China, and received his college and medical training in the United States. He is fluent in English and three Chinese dialects. He graduated with chemistry departmental honors from Harvey Mudd College. He was appointed president of AOA society at UCLA School of Medicine. He underwent internal medicine residency and gastroenterology fellowship training at Cedars Sinai Medical Center.

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Medical Editor:

Jay W. Marks, MD

Jay W. Marks, MD

Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

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In this Article

• "Is it safe for me to take Tylenol?"
• Do the recommended doses of Tylenol cause any liver damage?
• Why should we know that the generic name of Tylenol is acetaminophen?
• Just how much acetaminophen is safe to take?
• How is acetaminophen processed (metabolized) in the body?
• How does an overdose of acetaminophen cause liver injury?
• Is overdose with acetaminophen usually accidental or intentional?
• How can accidental overdose be avoided in adults?
• How can overdose be avoided in children?
• What are the symptoms and signs of acetaminophen-induced liver damage?
• What should be done if acetaminophen toxicity is suspected?
• Acetaminophen (Tylenol) Liver Damage At A Glance
• Patient Comments: Tylenol Liver Damage - Symptoms
• Tylenol Liver Damage Index

• Acetaminophen is a very safe drug when taken as directed, even for people with liver disease. Nevertheless, every drug carries risks.

• Liver damage from acetaminophen, which can be severe, can result either from an overdose or from regular doses that are taken while drinking alcohol.

• Most cases of acetaminophen-induced liver injury are caused by an intentional or suicidal overdose.

• Unintentional or accidental overdose of acetaminophen can usually be avoided with care and attention to the dosing.

• Physicians can estimate a patient's probability of developing liver injury based on the timing of the overdose and the blood level of the drug.

• In patients with acetaminophen liver damage, the usual clinical sequence is nausea and vomiting for the first 12-24 hours, then the patient seems well for the next 12-24 hours, after which abnormal liver blood tests develop.

• An antidote, N-acetyl cysteine, is available and should be given to the patient as soon as possible, preferably within 16 hours after the acetaminophen was taken.

Previous Medical Author and Editor: Medical Author: Tse-Ling Fong, M.D.
Medical Editor: Leslie J. Schoenfield, M.D., Ph.D.