title: [Acute acetaminophen overdose].
abstract: Acute ingestion of acetaminophen can induce a dose-dependent hepatotoxicity and lead to death. The management of acute acetaminophen poisoning at the early stage is well codified. A reported amount of ingestion > 200 mg/kg in a child, > 150 mg/kg in an adult (125 mg/kg if risk factors are present) require hospitalisation. Activated charcoal is administered within 1-2 hours of ingestion. AST/ALT levels are measured on admission, 12 hours after, and according to outcome every 12-24 h. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) administration within 8-10 hours protects against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity. The two protocols of NAC administration, intravenous and oral, have a comparable effectiveness. NAC is indicated if the serum acetaminophen level drawn 4 hours after ingestion and plotted on the nomograme falls above the "200 mg/L-4 hours" line. Nomograme is not usable with repeated acute ingestion or repeated supratherapeutic doses; presence of risk factors (enzymatic induction, malnutrition, chronic alcoholism) must be taken into account ("100 mg/L - 4 hours" line). Outcome is favorable with respect to these conditions.
authors.affiliation: Unité de toxicologie, CHU de Grenoble, 38043 Grenoble Cedex 9. psaviuc@chu-grenoble.fr
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Saviuc
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Danel
mesh_terms: D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000931:Antidotes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000517:prevention & control; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D000931:Antidotes; D000082:Acetaminophen; D000111:Acetylcysteine