Acetylcysteine for acetaminophen poisoning
KJ Heard - New England Journal of Medicine, 2008 - Mass Medical Soc
New England Journal of Medicine, 2008•Mass Medical Soc
A 25-year-old man presents to the emergency department with a toothache and is found to
have been ingesting large quantities of acetaminophen. Although no acetaminophen is
detectable in his blood, his serum alanine aminotransferase concentration is 750 IU per liter,
and treatment with acetylcysteine is recommended. Acetylcysteine repletes glutathione
stores in the liver. It helps to prevent hepatotoxicity in cases of acetaminophen overdose and
also improves survival in patients with acetaminophen-induced hepatic failure.
have been ingesting large quantities of acetaminophen. Although no acetaminophen is
detectable in his blood, his serum alanine aminotransferase concentration is 750 IU per liter,
and treatment with acetylcysteine is recommended. Acetylcysteine repletes glutathione
stores in the liver. It helps to prevent hepatotoxicity in cases of acetaminophen overdose and
also improves survival in patients with acetaminophen-induced hepatic failure.
A 25-year-old man presents to the emergency department with a toothache and is found to have been ingesting large quantities of acetaminophen. Although no acetaminophen is detectable in his blood, his serum alanine aminotransferase concentration is 750 IU per liter, and treatment with acetylcysteine is recommended. Acetylcysteine repletes glutathione stores in the liver. It helps to prevent hepatotoxicity in cases of acetaminophen overdose and also improves survival in patients with acetaminophen-induced hepatic failure.
The New England Journal Of Medicine