Evaluation of occult acetaminophen hepatotoxicity in hospitalized children receiving acetaminophen. Pediatric Pharmacology Research Unit Network.
The safety of repeated doses of acetaminophen in ill children with the potential of reduced glutathione stores has been questioned. This study measured hepatic transaminases in children and adolescents (n=100) who received > or = 6 therapeutic doses of acetaminophen over a 48-hour period of hospitalization. Acetaminophen-protein adducts were measured in a cohort of subjects with hepatic transaminase elevation (n=8) and in those (n=10) receiving concurrent drug therapy with agents that induce the cytochrome P450 enzymes involved in acetaminophen metabolism. Acetaminophen-protein adducts were not detected in this cohort of 18 subjects. Based on this pilot study, the routine use of acetaminophen at therapeutic doses in ill, hospitalized children and adolescents appears safe.
James
L P
LP
Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and Arkansas Children's Hospital, Little Rock 72202, USA.
Wilson
J T
JT
Simar
R
R
Farrar
H C
HC
Kearns
G L
GL
Simpson
P M
PM
Hinson
J A
JA
Pumford
N R
NR
D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000209:etiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / Q000378:metabolism; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012307:Risk Factors; D000637:Transaminases / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism
D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D000082:Acetaminophen; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System; D000637:Transaminases