Acute liver failure is a very serious condition that happens suddenly. There are many causes, but the most common cause is an overdose of paracetamol. Other medicines can also damage your liver; this is referred to as drug-induced liver injury or DILI.

Many cases of acute liver failure are caused by a deliberate overdose, but they can also happen by accident. Many medications including a lot of cold and flu medications such as Panadol, Disprin and Solpadeine contain paracetamol and can be purchased over the counter from a pharmacy or in supermarkets.  Consequently, it is possible to accidently take too much paracetamol by taking these medications together.

The recommended dose of paracetamol for adults is two 500mg tablets four times in 24 hours, while ensuring that at least four hours elapse between doses. The maximum dose is eight 500mg tablets in 24 hours.

Symptoms

The symptoms of acute liver failure caused by paracetamol overdose include jaundice, low blood sugar, sweating, trembling, irritability, clumsiness or being less co-ordinated than usual, feeling sick or nausea, vomiting, severe fatigue and abdominal discomfort.

Diagnosis

A blood test can show if liver damage has occurred and how much paracetamol is on the blood.

Treatment

To receive the proper treatment, it is beneficial to inform a doctor how much paracetamol was ingested and when.  It would also be helpful to provide a list of any other medications that were taken including prescription medication, recreational drugs, supplements and any natural, herbal or alternative medicines. To determine the best treatment options, providing the packets the medication were in will greatly help the doctors.

If treatment is necessary, it will likely be administered via a drip or IV line (intravenously). Activated charcoal orally might also be considered which can prevent the paracetamol from getting into the bloodstream and other parts of the body. More intensive treatment might be necessary depending on each presentation.

Prognosis

With medical heap, most people will get better after a paracetamol overdose.  The sooner treatment is commenced, the less chance there is of any lasting damage to the liver.