Paracetamol hepatotoxicity may be increased by drugs which induce the specific microsomal isoenzyme responsible for the metabolic activation of paracetamol. Despite anecdotal reports of such interactions involving ethanol and anticonvulsants, the metabolic activation of paracetamol is not increased in regular heavy drinkers or induced in patients taking phenobarbital or phenytoin. Chronic alcoholics seem to be at particular risk of liver damage following overdosage of paracetamol, but the mechanism is uncertain. Acute ingestion of ethanol markedly reduces metabolic activation of paracetamol.
Sign Out
