Acetaminophen, Serum

Use

This test is useful for monitoring toxicity in cases of acetaminophen overdose. Acetaminophen is commonly found in various over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol and is an analgesic and antipyretic drug lacking anti-inflammatory properties. In normal therapeutic doses, its toxicity is managed via metabolism in the liver, but overdose can lead to liver damage and potentially fatal hepatotoxicity. Serum concentration and half-life measurements are crucial for assessing intoxication levels as other liver function tests may not indicate significant changes until it is too late for effective intervention.