The most common cause of hospitalization of overdose patients is which medication?

• A. Ibuprofen
• B. Diphenhydramine
• C. Acetaminophen
• D. Aspirin

Answer: (C)

Acetaminophen overdoses are the most common reason people end up in the hospital after an overdose. It’s found in a huge number of over-the-counter products, so people can unintentionally exceed a safe dose by taking multiple medicines at once. When taken in excess, acetaminophen is shunted into a toxic metabolite (NAPQI). Normally the liver detoxifies this with glutathione, but an overdose uses up those stores, allowing liver cells to be damaged and sometimes fail. Early symptoms can be vague, so the seriousness isn’t always obvious right away, which is why hospital evaluation is common. Prompt treatment with N-acetylcysteine replenishes glutathione and can prevent major liver injury. The other medications listed can cause problems if overdosed, but acetaminophen overdoses are the most frequent cause of hospitalization for overdoses because of how common the drug is and how quickly severe liver injury can develop without timely treatment.