Especially popular in the United States and Great Britain, acetaminophen is often preferred to other analgesics, such as aspirin, because it is less likely to cause gastrointestinal irritation. However, other side effects, such as a yellowing of the skin and eyes, nausea, swelling, and loss of appetite, may occur, and overdose may have severe consequences. The consumption of excessive amounts of acetaminophen has been linked to acute, sometimes lethal, liver damage. The danger of such an occurrence is particularly pronounced in those who have a history of alcohol abuse or heavy drinking because such activity frequently alters the normal functioning of the liver.