Acetaminophen Risk After Bariatric Surgery?
December 5, 2012Acetaminophen Risk After Bariatric Surgery?
A study conducted at San Francisco's California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC) has indicated that some patients who have had certain types of bariatric surgery may be at risk for liver failure due to acetaminophen poisoning.
Out of 54 acetaminophen-induced liver failure patients in the study, it was found that 17% were weight loss surgery patients. According to CPMC liver disease and gastroenterology expert, Dr. Timothy Davern, that is quite a high percentage due to the fact that less than 1percent of the population has had weight loss surgery. If the data researches have collected is correct, Dr. Davern feels that their should be special warnings about the potential for acetaminophen-induced liver failure in bariatric patients. However, before that happens, a larger scale study is needed. Bariatric surgeons agree that the findings need to be reproduced with more patients with multiple centers involved.
It is thought that weight loss surgery patients may be more affected due to the fact that obesity often causes liver damage which could result in a higher risk of harm from acetaminophen. Also, many bariatric surgeons recommend that their patients stay away from most of the over-the-counter pain medications and acetaminophen (Tylenol, etc.) is one medication they can take.
At this time, weight loss surgery patients should not be alarmed but should be careful to not exceed the maximum recommended doses of acetaminophen. Patients should also note that acetaminophen is found many other medications and should read the labels of any medications that they are taking so to not take more than the recommended dosage.
