Hepatotoxicity of therapeutic doses of paracetamol in chronic alcohol abusers. A report of two cases fulminant hepatitis in cirrhotic patients

Paracetamol is a widely used medication as it is an effective analgesic and antipyretic. Because of the absence of gastro-intestinal side effects, it has been used as the analgesic of choice for alcoholic patients. Hepatotoxi city is dose-related and generally occurs in patients who absorb more than 125 mg/kg/j. However, cases of severe liver damage have been reported after absorption of therapeutic doses of paracetamol in alcoholics, We report 2 cases with a fatal outcome and discuss the mechanisms of toxicity, the prog nostic factors and treatment of such event.