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Symptoms

By Mayo Clinic staff

Mild forms of toxic hepatitis may not cause any noticeable problems and may be detected only by blood tests. When signs and symptoms occur, they're similar to those caused by other types of hepatitis:

  • Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice)
  • Fatigue
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Weight loss
  • Dark or tea-colored urine

When to see a doctor
See your doctor right away if you develop any of the signs or symptoms of toxic hepatitis, including jaundice and fatigue.

Get immediate medical care if you think your child has taken an overdose of acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or your child develops signs of a possible acetaminophen overdose, such as:

  • Sweating
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Convulsions
  • Coma

If you suspect an acetaminophen overdose, call 911, your local emergency services or the poison control center at 800-222-1222 immediately. An acetaminophen overdose can be fatal if not treated quickly.

References
  1. Dienstag JL. Toxic and drug-induced hepatitis. In: Fauci AS, et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/resourceTOC.aspx?resourceID=4. Accessed Nov. 14, 2008.
  2. Lewis JH. Liver disease caused by anesthetics, toxins, and herbal preparations. In: Feldman M, et al. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastroinstestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Management. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2006. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/111481204-2/0/1389/0.html. Accessed Nov. 11, 2008.
  3. Friedman LS. Liver, biliary tract, & pancreas disorders. In: McPhee SJ, et al. Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment 2009. 48th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill; 2009. http://www.accessmedicine.com/resourceTOC.aspx?resourceID=1. Accessed Nov. 11, 2008.
  4. Brown JA. Haz-Map: Information on hazardous chemicals and occupational disease. National Institutes of Health. http://hazmap.nlm.nih.gov. Accessed Nov. 12, 2008.
  5. Fountain FF. Isoniazid hepatotoxicity associated with treatment of latent tuberculosis infection: A 7-year evaluation from a public health tuberculosis clinic. Chest. 2005;128:116.
  6. Fontana RJ. Acute liver failure including acetaminophen overdose. Medical Clinics of North America. 2008;92:761.
  7. Fontana RJ. Acute liver failure due to drugs. Seminars in Liver Disease. 2008;28:175.
  8. Watkins PB. Aminotransferase elevations in healthy adults receiving 4 grams of acetaminophen daily. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2006;296:87.
  9. NCI drug dictionary. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/drugdictionary. Accessed Nov. 14, 2008.
  10. Picco MF (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla. Oct. 28, 2008.

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Dec. 17, 2008

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