What is a significant side effect associated with overuse of acetaminophen?

Acetaminophen is widely used for pain relief and fever reduction; however, overuse or excessive doses can lead to serious health complications, particularly liver damage. This occurs because acetaminophen is metabolized primarily in the liver. When taken in high doses, the liver can become overwhelmed, leading to the accumulation of toxic metabolites that can cause liver cell injury and potentially result in acute liver failure.

The liver damage from acetaminophen overdose can be severe and may require medical interventions such as hospitalization or liver transplant in extreme cases. Monitoring the total daily dose and being wary of combining products containing acetaminophen is essential to avoid the risk of hepatotoxicity.

In contrast, the other side effects listed are not typically associated with acetaminophen overuse. While gastric ulcers may relate more to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), kidney stones and skin rashes are not commonly linked to acetaminophen, making liver damage the key concern in cases of overdose.