title: A review of acetaminophen poisoning.
abstract: Acetaminophen poisoning remains one of the more common drugs taken in overdose with potentially fatal consequences. Early recognition and prompt treatment with N-acetylcysteine can prevent hepatic injury. With acute overdose, the Rumack-Matthew nomogram is a useful tool to assess risk and guide management. Equally common to acute overdose is the repeated use of excessive amounts of acetaminophen. Simultaneous ingestion of several different acetaminophen-containing products may result in excessive dosage. These patients also benefit from N-acetylcysteine. Standard courses of N-acetylcysteine may need to be extended in patients with persistently elevated plasma concentrations of acetaminophen or with signs of hepatic injury.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Upstate New York Poison Center, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Suite 202, 250 Harrison Street, Syracuse, NY 13202, USA. hodgmanm@upstate.edu
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hodgman
authors.forename: Alexander R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Garrard
mesh_terms: D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000506:poisoning*; D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000506:poisoning*; D000931:Antidotes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004347:Drug Interactions; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D017114:Liver Failure, Acute / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000601:surgery; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D049451:Nomograms; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D000931:Antidotes; D000082:Acetaminophen; D000431:Ethanol; D000111:Acetylcysteine