Massive Acetaminophen Overdose

Authors

Thor Stead, Brown UniversityFollow
Jae Jeong, Brown UniversityFollow
Latha Ganti, HCA HealthcareFollow
Jose Rubero, HCA HealthcareFollow

Division

North Florida

Hospital

Osceola Regional Medical Center

Document Type

Case Report

Publication Date

7-18-2020

Keywords

acetaminophen, toxicology, poisoning

Disciplines

Emergency Medicine | Medical Toxicology

Abstract

The authors present a case of a fatal intentional acetaminophen (APAP) overdose and remind the physician how ubiquitous the drug is. This case presentation highlights the clinical presentation and treatment options for APAP overdose in unresponsive patients. In cases of massive APAP overdose (> 300 µg/ml plasma at four hours post-ingestion), prompt administration of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and early hemodialysis are indicated.

Publisher or Conference

Cureus

Recommended Citation

Stead T S, Jeong J, Ganti L, et al. (July 18, 2020) Massive Acetaminophen Overdose. Cureus 12(7): e9262. doi:10.7759/cureus.9262