Intravenous administration of oral N-acetylcysteine.
OBJECTIVE
To report the indications and adverse events associated with administration of the oral N-acetylcysteine preparation by the intravenous route.


METHODS
Retrospective consecutive case series analysis of 226,720 Toxic Exposure Surveillance System data sheets from a certified regional poison center during the period January 1, 1992 through December 31, 1993.


METHODS
A regional poison center certified by the American Association of Poison Control Centers.


METHODS
Seventy-six patients treated with the oral N-acetylcysteine solution by the intravenous route.


METHODS
None.


RESULTS
We report the indications and adverse events associated with the intravenous administration of the oral N-acetylcysteine preparation. Four (4/76, 5.3%) patients developed adverse events attributable to N-acetylcysteine. None of these events involved hemodynamic, cardiovascular, or pulmonary effects. All reactions occurred during infusion of the initial N-acetylcysteine dose. There were three (3/76, 3.9%) deaths overall; however, they were not attributable to the intravenous administration of the oral N-acetylcysteine preparation.


CONCLUSIONS
Intravenous administration of the oral N-acetylcysteine preparation appears to have limited adverse effects and offers another mechanism of delivery of the potentially lifesaving N-acetylcysteine when oral administration is not possible.
Yip
L
L
Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center and Denver Health Medical Center, Department of Surgery, University of Colorado Health Science Center 80220, USA.
Dart
R C
RC
Hurlbut
K M
KM
D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000506:poisoning*; D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000506:poisoning*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality; D015507:Drugs, Investigational; D005260:Female; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012449:Safety; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States; D014486:United States Food and Drug Administration
D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D015507:Drugs, Investigational; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D000082:Acetaminophen; D000111:Acetylcysteine