Abstract

Paracetamol is a widely used analgesic and antipyretic. It is classified as a mild analgesic commonly used for the relief of headaches and other minor aches and pains. While it is generally safe for use at recommended doses (1000mg per single dose and up to 3000mg per day for adults human), acute overdoses of paracetamol can cause potentially fatal kidney, brain and liver damage, and in rare individuals, a normal dose can do same. The current study investigates the effect of paracetamol-induced liver damage on some haematological parameters in wistar rats. Twenty wistar rats were randomly allocated in two groups of 10 each, and were well fed for the duration of the research work. Rats in group 1(control) were fed with just normal rat feeds. But the rats in group 2 were, in addition, given over dose (300mg) of paracetamol for two days. On the third day, they were sacrificed using chloroform. The results showed that there was a significant decrease in Red Blood Cell (RBC) count between the control group and the treated (p<0.05). There was also a significant increase in white Blood Cell (WBC) count between the control group and treated group (P< 0.05). There was also a significant decrease in the Packed Cell Volume (PCV) values between the control group and the treated group (P<0.05). Paracetamol 300mg/kg administered for two days significantly reduced RBC count and PCV, and increased WBC count of the wistar rats. Serum transaminase, an important indication of severe liver damage also increased.