Oral methionine in the treatment of severe paracetamol (Acetaminophen) overdose

Abstract

30 patients at risk of hepatic damage from paracetamol (acetaminophen) ingestion were given 2-5 g oral methionine every four hours up to a total dose of 10 g. The first dose was given within ten hours of the overdose. There were no deaths and no reports of hepatic encephalopathy or other complications. In 21 patients plasma aspartate-aminotransferase remained within normal limits. These results suggest that methionine may be effective in reducing the frequency and severity of paracetamol-induced liver damage and may provide an effective non-toxic alternative to cysteamine.