In the United States, accidental overuse of which medication is a leading cause of liver damage and liver failure?

In the United States, accidental overuse of which medication is a leading cause of liver damage and liver failure?

• A. acetaminophen
• B. antacids and acid blockers
• C. bronchodilators (e.g., albuterol inhaler)
• D. nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g., aspirin, ibuprofen)

Answer: (A)

Overuse of acetaminophen is a leading cause of liver damage and acute liver failure in the United States. This medication is in many different OTC and prescription products, so people can unintentionally exceed the safe daily limit, typically around 4,000 mg for adults. When taken in higher-than-recommended amounts, acetaminophen is converted in the liver to a toxic metabolite called NAPQI. If glutathione stores are depleted or overwhelmed, NAPQI damages liver cells, which can lead to serious injury or failure if not treated promptly. The risk is higher with heavy alcohol use or poor nutrition, which can change how the drug is processed and increase vulnerability to toxicity. Because acetaminophen is so common and appears in many combination medicines, accidental overdoses are a major cause of liver harm. Other listed medicines aren’t typically associated with liver failure as a leading cause. For example, antacids and acid blockers primarily affect the digestive tract and acid production; bronchodilators aid the airways; NSAIDs can cause stomach, kidney, and other issues but are not the main driver of acute liver failure in most overdoses.

Overuse of acetaminophen is a leading cause of liver damage and acute liver failure in the United States. This medication is in many different OTC and prescription products, so people can unintentionally exceed the safe daily limit, typically around 4,000 mg for adults. When taken in higher-than-recommended amounts, acetaminophen is converted in the liver to a toxic metabolite called NAPQI. If glutathione stores are depleted or overwhelmed, NAPQI damages liver cells, which can lead to serious injury or failure if not treated promptly. The risk is higher with heavy alcohol use or poor nutrition, which can change how the drug is processed and increase vulnerability to toxicity. Because acetaminophen is so common and appears in many combination medicines, accidental overdoses are a major cause of liver harm.

Other listed medicines aren’t typically associated with liver failure as a leading cause. For example, antacids and acid blockers primarily affect the digestive tract and acid production; bronchodilators aid the airways; NSAIDs can cause stomach, kidney, and other issues but are not the main driver of acute liver failure in most overdoses.