Hepatotoxicity due to repeated intake of low doses of paracetamol

The cases of two patients with fulminant hepatic failure after intake of therapeutic doses (4-8 g) of paracetamol, and who were admitted to hospital for assessment for liver transplantation, are described. In both patients starvation, due to abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting or diarrhoea, was probably contributing to the toxic effect of the drug. One of the patients also had an excessive alcohol intake. Paracetamol should not be prescribed for patients with alcoholism or with low food intake.