Renal tubular lesions were observed in rats given single doses of acetaminophen in the lethal range of 2000 to 7000 mg/kg, and similar lesions were found in rats given 500 to 4000 mg/kg daily for up to 100 days. Attempts to produce renal damage with single nonlethal doses of acetaminophen have been unsuccessful.¹⁵⁹

Chronic Nephrotoxicity (Rats)

In studies using rats, rabbits, and dogs, 50 to 400 mg/kg/d of acetaminophen for 13 to 40 weeks failed to produce any significant renal abnormalities, with no evidence of interstitial nephritis or papillary necrosis.¹⁵⁹

Renal lesions have occurred in rats given 300 mg/kg/d for periods of up to 32 weeks in the presence of experimentally induced renal infection, whereas the same dose of acetaminophen failed to cause renal lesions in rats without pyelonephritis.¹⁶⁰

* The American College of Rheumatology is an independent professional, medical, and scientific society that does not guarantee, warrant, or endorse any commercial product or service.

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