Effect of moderate ethanol consumption after moderate use of APAP (~3g/day)?

[E Man]

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My apologies if this belongs in a different forum, I'm new here.

I have been taking around 3-4 grams of acetaminophen for the last four days to relieve flu symptoms. I know that acetaminophen is contraindicated with chronic alcohol consumption, although I'd like to know how that contraindication works in reverse.

Chronic alcohol consumption depletes glutathione stores as the liver tries to deal with acetylaldehyde buildup (when acetylaldehyde dehydrogenase is tied up, the liver next resorts to conjugation with sulfur from cysteine and glutathione). This is why it can be dangerous for an alcoholic to take a lot of acetaminophen: 5% of APAP is metabolized to the toxic NAPQI, which the liver ordinarily detoxifies via conjugation with glutathione.

Given that I've taken 3-4g/day for the past four days, what's my glutathione situation probably like? Would it even matter if I drank, say, a six pack tonight? The only effect I see it having is on a possible hangover, which would be easily mitigated by drinking water during and eating cysteine rich foods before.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paracetamol_toxicity
http://www.ceri.com/alcohol.htm

 

[UES Girl]

My apologies if this belongs in a different forum, I'm new here.

I have been taking around 3-4 grams of acetaminophen for the last four days to relieve flu symptoms. I know that acetaminophen is contraindicated with chronic alcohol consumption, although I'd like to know how that contraindication works in reverse.

Chronic alcohol consumption depletes glutathione stores as the liver tries to deal with acetylaldehyde buildup (when acetylaldehyde dehydrogenase is tied up, the liver next resorts to conjugation with sulfur from cysteine and glutathione). This is why it can be dangerous for an alcoholic to take a lot of acetaminophen: 5% of APAP is metabolized to the toxic NAPQI, which the liver ordinarily detoxifies via conjugation with glutathione.

Given that I've taken 3-4g/day for the past four days, what's my glutathione
situation probably like? Would it even matter if I drank, say, a six pack tonight? The only effect I see it having is on a possible hangover, which would be easily mitigated by drinking water during and eating cysteine rich foods before
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paracetamol_toxicity
http://www.ceri.com/alcohol.htm

😕



Personal medical advice is prohibited on this forum.

 

[E Man]

Sorry, let me ask this then:

Are there any interactions between the dose of APAP I've described and a moderate amount of alcohol, other than what I've explained in the OP? I mean this as a general question, not personal advice. I'm aware that replies on a message board do not properly constitute medical advice.

 

[willrocks]

Your ALTs will begin to show elevation after a small amount (<1g) of APAP consumption in tandem with alcohol. It follows that increasing the dose increases toxicity. The level at which liver impairment is clinically relevant is not specifically defined under these circumstances.

 

[E Man]

What is the significance of elevated ALT levels?

 

[njac]

Your ALTs will begin to show elevation after a small amount (<1g) of APAP consumption in tandem with alcohol. It follows that increasing the dose increases toxicity. The level at which liver impairment is clinically relevant is not specifically defined under these circumstances.

Acute EtOH ingestion is actually protective in APAP overdose.

 

[Praziquantel86]

SDN is not the place for medical advice. Please consult your pharmacist or other healthcare professional. Closing thread.