Which statement about acetaminophen is true?

Which statement about acetaminophen is true?

• A. It has anti-inflammatory effects.
• B. It is hepatotoxic only at very high doses.
• C. It is an analgesic and antipyretic with potential liver toxicity at high doses.
• D. It causes significant gastrointestinal irritation.

Answer: (C)

Acetaminophen works as an analgesic and antipyretic, but it does not have meaningful anti-inflammatory effects. Its main safety concern is liver toxicity that increases with higher or prolonged dosing, especially in people with liver disease, malnutrition, or alcohol use, because a toxic metabolite can accumulate when glutathione stores are overwhelmed. This makes the statement that it is an analgesic and antipyretic with potential liver toxicity at high doses the accurate one. It does not typically cause significant gastrointestinal irritation, which is why the option claiming GI irritation is not correct.

Acetaminophen works as an analgesic and antipyretic, but it does not have meaningful anti-inflammatory effects. Its main safety concern is liver toxicity that increases with higher or prolonged dosing, especially in people with liver disease, malnutrition, or alcohol use, because a toxic metabolite can accumulate when glutathione stores are overwhelmed. This makes the statement that it is an analgesic and antipyretic with potential liver toxicity at high doses the accurate one. It does not typically cause significant gastrointestinal irritation, which is why the option claiming GI irritation is not correct.