The Treatment of Acute Acetaminophen Poisoning

Abstract

Accidental or intentional overdose with acetaminophen is a relatively common occurrence. Few patients ingesting an overdose of acetaminophen will develop a fulminant clinical course resulting in death. Some are at risk for developing acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity unless properly treated with the prophylactic antidote N-acetylcysteine within the first 24 hours after ingestion. Intensive supportive care will allow an excellent prognosis for those patients developing hepatotoxicity or other, more rare, sequelae of acetaminophen poisoning.