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. 2023 Feb;89(2):599-601.
doi: 10.1111/bcp.15596. Epub 2022 Dec 5.

Fomepizole should not be used more liberally in paracetamol overdose

Affiliations

Fomepizole should not be used more liberally in paracetamol overdose

James W Dear. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2023 Feb.

Abstract

Fomepizole is a promising new treatment for preventing liver injury following paracetamol (acetaminophen) overdose. However, we need robust clinical trials to be performed to demonstrate its effect on clinical outcomes that are important to our patients and important to healthcare providers. Until such trials are performed, the toxicology community should learn the lessons from the COVID pandemic-potential novel therapeutic options may be theoretically appealing, but their effectiveness needs to be assessed in robust clinical trials before they are used in clinical practice.

Keywords: acetaminophen; fomepizole; overdose; paracetamol.

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Conflict of interest statement

J.W.D. was the Chief Investigator on the POP Trial of calmangafodipir in paracetamol overdose.

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