Risk factors in the development of adverse reactions to N-acetylcysteine in patients with paracetamol poisoning.
OBJECTIVE
To identify risk factors in the development of side-effects to N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in patients with paracetamol poisoning.


METHODS
A retrospective study was carried out based upon the hospital charts of 529 consecutive patients admitted with paracetamol poisoning, all treated with NAC, at the Department of Hepatology, Copenhagen University Hospital (the tertiary care centre of liver disease in Denmark).


RESULTS
Forty-five patients (8.5%; 95% confidence intervals (CI) 6.4, 11%) developed side-effects to NAC and 18 patients (3.4%; 95% CI 2.1, 5.4%) developed systemic side-effects. Asthmatics were 2.9 times (95% CI 2.1, 4.7) more likely to develop side-effects (Chi-square: P = 0.004). Side-effects were of similar severity in asthmatics and nonasthmatics. A history of medical allergy was not a risk factor. Serum paracetamol was lower in patients with side-effects than in those without (Mann-Whitney: P = 0.00006).


CONCLUSIONS
Asthma must be considered a risk factor in the development of side-effects to NAC. However, the side-effects are easily managed and there is no reason to withhold NAC from any patient with paracetamol poisoning. Paracetamol itself seems to offer some protection against the development of side-effects to NAC.
Schmidt
L E
LE
Department of Hepatology A and Department of Clinical Pharmacology Q, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark. lars.Schmidt@dadlnet.dk
Dalhoff
K
K
D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000506:poisoning*; D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000506:poisoning*; D002648:Child; D003718:Denmark; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011041:Poisoning / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors
D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D000082:Acetaminophen; D000111:Acetylcysteine