Subacute acetaminophen overdose after incremental dosing.
A case of acetaminophen poisoning following the ingestion of 26 g of acetaminophen by incremental dosing over a 25-h period is reported. At presentation, seven h after the last ingestion, the patient experienced hematemesis, the acetaminophen level was 150 micrograms/mL, and the SGOT was normal. The patient recovered uneventfully following N-acetylcysteine therapy. A review of the pharmacology and toxicity of acetaminophen is discussed. The case illustrates the problems of judging hepatotoxic potential in a multiple-dose acetaminophen ingestion and describes the successful use of N-acetylcysteine in a patient with a "subacute" acetaminophen overdose.
Mathis
R D
RD
Department of Emergency Medicine, Darnall Army Community Hospital, Fort Hood, Texas.
Walker
J S
JS
Kuhns
D W
DW
D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000506:poisoning*; D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000293:Adolescent; D004630:Emergencies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013997:Time Factors
D000082:Acetaminophen; D000111:Acetylcysteine