Signs & Symptoms of Liver Damage Due to Acetaminophen

While acetaminophen does not typically cause liver damage in moderate doses when taken by healthy patients, certain people can sustain liver toxicity from taking this painkiller. Those patients who do experience liver damage exhibit specific signs and symptoms that can be used to diagnose and treat the patients. Understanding the signs and symptoms of liver damage can help patients avoid additional damage and severe consequences, including coma or death.

Initial Signs

• Patients who have sustained liver toxicity because of acetaminophen ingestion will exhibit external signs during the first 12 to 24 hours. Most commonly, these signs include vomiting and persistent nausea.

Latency

• After the initial 12 to 24 hour period, the signs and symptoms of liver damage will typically disappear. The patient will feel fine during the next 12 to 24 hour period.

Liver Abnormalities

• Between 48 and 72 hours after ingestion, patients with liver damage will exhibit liver blood test abnormalities. These abnormalities include elevated levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in the bloodstream.