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This 77-year-old white male with a past medical history of osteo- and rheumatoid arthritis went to his internist for treatment of increasing joint pain and was started on a muscle relaxant, a narcotic analgesic that also contained 650 mg of acetaminophen, and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent. The patient's medical record also indicated that he self medicated with acetaminophen. Two days later he went back to his doctor complaining of nausea and vomiting, right upper quadrant pain, anorexia, and confusion. Lab evaluation revealed increased liver function tests (AST, 2190; ALT, 1959; LDH, 50005020; alkaline phosphatase, 120; GGT, 125; total bilirubin, 3.9). Hepatitis serologies were negative. The patient's blood acetaminophen level was 45 mcg/dL. Over the next several days the patient began to develop petechiae which progressed to ecchymosis and necrosis of his hands and feet. Laboratory studies revealed that the liver function was improving, but coagulation studies were consistent with DIC (platelets, 19,000; FDP, greater than 40; fibrinogen, 90; PTT, 26). The patient was treated with heparin, cryoprecipitate, fresh frozen plasma, and anti-thrombin III. Despite improvement in his coagulation parameters, the patient appeared to have ongoing thrombosis. The patient was evaluated by orthopedic and vascular surgery who recommended bilateral below-the-knee amputations and bilateral hand amputations. However, the patient was found apneic and, in keeping with his request that he not be resuscitated, no resuscitative measures were undertaken.