Acetaminophen is particularly toxic to which organ?

Acetaminophen is particularly toxic to which organ?

• A. Heart
• B. Kidney
• C. Spleen
• D. Liver

Answer: (D)

Acetaminophen toxicity mainly affects the liver because of how it’s metabolized in that organ. Most of the drug is safely processed, but a fraction is converted by liver enzymes into a reactive metabolite (NAPQI). In an overdose, glutathione stores in the liver are overwhelmed, so NAPQI binds to cellular proteins and causes hepatocellular injury, especially in the central zones of the liver lobules, leading to necrosis and elevated liver enzymes. While kidney injury can occur in severe cases, the hallmark organ for acetaminophen toxicity is the liver. An antidote like N-acetylcysteine works by replenishing glutathione to detoxify NAPQI.

Acetaminophen toxicity mainly affects the liver because of how it’s metabolized in that organ. Most of the drug is safely processed, but a fraction is converted by liver enzymes into a reactive metabolite (NAPQI). In an overdose, glutathione stores in the liver are overwhelmed, so NAPQI binds to cellular proteins and causes hepatocellular injury, especially in the central zones of the liver lobules, leading to necrosis and elevated liver enzymes. While kidney injury can occur in severe cases, the hallmark organ for acetaminophen toxicity is the liver. An antidote like N-acetylcysteine works by replenishing glutathione to detoxify NAPQI.