IntroductionNot responsible self-medication refers to drug use in high doses without rational
indication and often associated with alcohol abuse. It can lead to liver damage
and drug interactions, and may cause liver failure.AimTo warn about how the practice of self-medication can be responsible for acute
liver failure.MethodWere used the Medline via PubMed, Cochrane Library, SciELO and Lilacs, and
additional information on institutional sites of interest crossing the headings
acute liver failure [tiab] AND acetaminophen [tiab];
self-medication [tiab] AND acetaminophen [tiab]; acute
liver failure [tiab] AND dietary supplements [tiab];
self-medication [tiab] AND liver failure [tiab] and
self-medication [tiab] AND green tea [tiab]. In Lilacs
and SciELO used the descriptor self medication in Portuguese and Spanish. From
total surveyed were selected 27 articles and five sites specifically related to
the purpose of this review.ConclusionsLegislation and supervision disabled and information inaccessible to people,
favors the emergence of cases of liver failure drug in many countries. In the list
of released drugs that deserve more attention and care, are some herbal medicines
used for the purpose of weight loss, and acetaminophen. It is recommended that
institutes of health intensify supervision and better orient their populations on
drug seemingly harmless, limiting the sale of products or requiring a prescription
for release them.