Management of acute acetaminophen overdose

Abstract

Acetaminophen is a popular analgesic and antipyretic medication that has few side effects and little toxicity when used in recommended doses. With ingestion of overdose quantities, accumulation of toxic metabolites may cause hepatotoxicity. Acetylcysteine is an effective antidote when used early in the course of an acute overdose. An accurate history of the time of ingestion and an acetaminophen plasma level will determine which patients require treatment with acetylcysteine.