Introduction to Pharmacology, Fact, Law & Ethics and Administration

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Introduction to Pharmacology, Fact, Law & Ethics and Administration

Introduction

In the medical field, a vital part is played in pharmacology. The study of how drugs interact with the

body and the drugs themselves is referred to as pharmacology. That is, it is a field that studies the

impacts of drugs on living organisms, such as the interactions of drugs with other substances, their side

effects and their therapeutic uses. As a result, in the medical field, pharmacology is essential. One of the

critical functions played by pharmacology is in the enhancement of existing drugs and the creation of

new ones. In enhancing the existing drugs, pharmacology provides researchers with the required

information to boost the effectiveness of drugs by altering the existing ones, cultivating their distribution

to the tissues targeted and decreasing their side effects. On the creation of new medications,

identification of probable aims for drug therapy and comprehension of drug actions are aided by

information on pharmacology. Therefore, pharmacology is essential in drug development and

enhancement.

In America, acetaminophen and alcohol are among the main drugs abused. When the two drugs are

consumed in excess or when combined, they can lead to adverse outcomes. Following the scenario

provided, the symptoms of liver damage experienced by the 59 years man in the exempt may result

from regularly mixing the intake of acetaminophen with alcohol. As a result, this paper will delve into

answering critical thinking questions such as the probable aftermath of combining acetaminophen and

alcohol regularly, the maximum daily dose of acetaminophen for an average adult, how prevalent

acetaminophen overdose concerning acute liver failure and lastly, other problems and issues related to

alcohol or acetaminophen intake.

Probable outcomes for a regular Combination of Acetaminophen and Alcohol

Regular combination of acetaminophen and alcohol can lead to adverse outcomes. One outcome of

regularly mixing acetaminophen with alcohol is affecting liver function negatively. Paracetamol or
acetaminophen are over-the-counter medicines that are usually consumed to reduce fever and as a

painkiller. When acetaminophen is combined with alcohol or used in excess, it can be toxic to the liver

and safe when taken as prescribed. This is because the liver metabolizes both acetaminophen and

alcohol. NAPQI is a poisonous substance produced by the liver in excess due to alcohol intake, which

can, in turn, lead to the liver cells getting damaged. This toxic substance is also produced due to

paracetamol or acetaminophen, which can result in liver damage due to it accumulating in the liver.

Elements like drug usage frequency, differences in people's liver functions and the amount or dosage of

each drug are the determinants of the probable results of regularly mixing the intake of acetaminophen

with alcohol. Therefore, mixing acetaminophen and alcohol can be fatal since they are metabolized in

the liver. Meaning the levels of toxic metabolites will rise due to alcohol interfering with the metabolism

process of paracetamol in the liver. According to a 2019 research, "The combination of acetaminophen

and alcohol increases the risk of liver damage", the authors support the relationship between liver

damage and the intake of acetaminophen and alcohol. The research claimed that those who mixed

acetaminophen and alcohol had a high chance of getting a liver injury compared to those who only took

acetaminophen. Following the journal, liver injuries are also increased by high doses of acetaminophen

and regular intake of alcohol. Lastly, the journal stated that to avoid liver damage, one should avoid

mixing the intake of paracetamol and alcohol.

Following the 59-year-old man scenario, acute liver failure could have been caused by his everyday

actions of alcohol drinking while taking high acetaminophen doses; these actions could pose fatal effects

on his life. The raised levels of serum glucose, liver enzymes, acetaminophen and bilirubin levels in his

blood all point out to liver failure. Additionally, liver damage symptoms include jaundice, vomiting,

nausea and abdominal tenderness consistent with the patient's symptoms. As a result, the aftermath of

mixing acetaminophen and alcohol intake is liver damage that can later cause acute liver damage.
Maximum Daily Dose of Acetaminophen for an Average Adult

For an average adult, four thousand milligrams is the maximum dosage of acetaminophen one should

consume daily. If taken in high doses than prescribed, then the result for this is liver damage. According

to 2020 research, “Dosing regimens of oral acetaminophen for pain, " an assessment of the helpfulness

of various doses of acetaminophen regimens was done in adult patients by clinical taxology. The

deductions made after the conclusion of the research was that 4000 milligrams are the maximum daily

dose of acetaminophen for an average adult, and this quantity was successful and safe for most adults.

The authors also stated that for patients with conditions that may negatively impact the acetaminophen

metabolism or suffering from liver disease, caution had to be taken.

According to another research, "Acetaminophen: Beyond Pain and Fever-Relieving", the significance of

following the prescription of over-the-counter drugs like acetaminophen was discussed. The research

also warned against acetaminophen overdose since it can lead to liver damage and suggested 4000

milligrams to be the maximum dosage for an average adult. As a result, these two articles support the

claim that four thousand milligrams of acetaminophen are the maximum daily dose. According to the

scenario, for the past 2 weeks, the 59-year-old consumed up to 8-500 milligrams of acetaminophen

daily, which totals to 4000milligrams of acetaminophen a day. Evidently, the 59-year-old was exceeding

the required amount and hence prone to liver damage.

Prevalence of Acetaminophen in Relation to Acute Liver Failure

Among the primary causes of acute liver failure in America is overdosing on acetaminophen. According

to a recent research titled “Epidemiology ad Outcomes of Acute Liver Failure due to Acetaminophen

Poisoning in the U.S”, between the years 2003-2015, 46.5 per cent of all cases of ALF were due to high

doses of acetaminophen. The authors also claimed the occurrences of ALF raised over time, with the
highest recorded occurrences being among adults ranging between 18-24 years. Following another

journal, "Acetaminophen overdose: A Growing Threat to Liver Health in the U.S", the authors reviewed

the present state of knowledge in America on paracetamol overdoses and their effect on liver health.

Additionally, the journal states that the primary cause of ALF is paracetamol overdose, and there is an

increase in the occurrences of acetaminophen-based liver injuries in particular populations. Lastly, the

article effectively provided acetaminophen prevention approaches and, in scenarios of overdose,

approaches to enhance the patient's results.

Other Problems or Issues Related to Acetaminophen or Alcohol Intake

When alcohol and acetaminophen are used for a long time or in excess, they can lead to liver damage.

This section will provide other issues related to the intake of alcohol or acetaminophen. One issue is a

liver disease caused by alcohol. This is because when one takes alcohol in excess over a prolonged

duration, it inflames the liver and causes damage to it. As a result, one can get liver failure or liver

disease. On the part of acetaminophen, overdosing is related to its intake. This is because when one

takes more than the prescribed amount, paracetamol can also lead to liver failure or damage, more so

when mixed with other drugs or alcohol. Additionally, mixing the intake of acetaminophen with alcohol

can result in a risk rise of getting liver damage or failure as they are both broken down in the liver.

According to the article "Alcohol and Acetaminophen: synergistic hepatotoxic interactions in mice", even

in amounts that may be considered safe, mixing acetaminophen and alcohol or consumed alone can

lead to synergistic damage to the liver in mice.

Another issue related to acetaminophen is being at risk of bleeding in the gastrointestinal. Those with a

history of conditions like ulcers have a higher chance of getting gastrointestinal bleeding due to

prolonged usage of acetaminophen in high doses. Following the article "Gastrointestinal bleeding
associated with prolonged use of acetaminophen”, prolonged usage of high amounts of acetaminophen

was linked to a greater risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, more so in people with conditions like ulcers.

Conclusion

Following this detailed essay, it is evident that mixing the intake of paracetamol or acetaminophen with

alcohol can lead to acute liver damage or liver failure. Since the 59-year-old in our scenario had been

consuming 4000 milligrams of acetaminophen daily, he was overdosing, placing him at a high risk of liver

damage. Additionally, he had been drinking approximately twelve servings of alcohol for the past ten

years, which might have resulted in an inflamed liver before mixing the alcohol with paracetamol.

Therefore, the combination of his drinking and use of acetaminophen, together with the results found

after tests were done on him, all proved that he was suffering from liver disease related to prolonged

use of alcohol and acetaminophen overdose. Moreover, other issues and problems like kidney failure or

gastrointestinal bleeding can be caused by prolonged usage of acetaminophen and intake of alcohol.

Lastly, comprehension of pharmacology can aid healthcare workers in determining and controlling the

severe impacts of drugs and their interactions, leading to enhanced patient results. As a result, health

workers are assisted by pharmacology in realizing how to successfully and safely administer medications

to patients and comprehend the connections between the body and drugs.
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