Onset and recovery of hepatic and renal injury after deliberate acute paracetamol overdose.

A 54-year-old woman presented to hospital after deliberate acute ingestion of paracetamol 20 g. Despite early administration of a standardised acetylcysteine regimen, the patient developed acute liver impairment and acute renal impairment. Prolonged acetylcysteine administration and supportive measures allowed restoration of normal liver and renal function. Early presentation to hospital and prolonged duration of follow-up gave an unusual opportunity to examine the onset and duration of paracetamol-induced hepatic and renal impairment.