Acetaminophen Poisoning

Basics

Description

  • Acetaminophen (APAP) is available alone, in combination with oral opiate, and in >200 OTC cold remedies:
    • One of the most common drugs implicated in intentional and unintentional poisonings
    • One of the most common reasons for hepatic transplantation in the U.S.
  • N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI) produced when APAP metabolized by cytochrome P-450:
    • NAPQI normally detoxified by glutathione
    • In overdose, glutathione is quickly depleted and NAPQI causes hepatic damage
    • N-acetylcysteine (NAC) replenishes the liver's glutathione stores
      Descriptive text is not available for this image

      Rumack–Matthew nomogram.
      (Adapted from Rumack BH, Matthew H. Acetaminophen poisoning and toxicity. Pediatrics. 1975;55:871–876.)
  • Increased risk of toxicity:
    • Patients with poor nutrition have decreased glutathione stores
  • Pharmacokinetics:
    • APAP half-life:
      • 2.5–4 hr in a nonoverdose setting
      • >4 hr in overdose
  • Toxic dose >150 mg/kg acutely
  • Probable toxic level is 140 mcg/mL at 4-hr postingestion (see nomogram for acute intoxication)
  • Therapeutic plasma concentration is 5–20 mcg/mL

Diagnosis

Signs and Symptoms

Acute overdose:
  • Phase 1: 0.5–24-hr postingestion:
    • Nausea, vomiting, malaise
    • Occurs with large overdoses
    • May not be present with smaller toxic doses
  • Phase 2: 24–72-hr postingestion:
    • Decreased GI symptoms
    • Hepatic damage is occurring
    • Right upper quadrant pain and tenderness
    • Elevation of liver enzymes, PT/INR, bilirubin
    • Oliguria
    • Prolonged (>4 hr) APAP half-life implies hepatic toxicity
  • Phase 3: 72–96-hr postingestion:
    • Critical time period in the prognosis
    • Peak liver function abnormalities
    • Hepatic encephalopathy develops
    • If the PT/INR continues to rise and/or renal insufficiency develops beyond the 3rd d postingestion, there is high likelihood that the patient will require hepatic transplantation
  • Phase 4: 96-hr to 10-d postingestion:
    • Resolution of hepatic injury or progression to complete hepatic failure

Essential Workup

  • Ingestion history of all APAP-containing products
  • Time of ingestion
  • APAP level:
    • Obtain 4-hr postingestion level or immediately on presentation if >4-hr postingestion.
    • Use Rumack–Matthew nomogram as therapeutic guide for single acute overdose (see ).
    • In staggered ingestions or very late presenters (>24 hr after acute ingestion), obtain level but do not use nomogram for therapeutic guidance.
  • Call poison center ([800] 222-1222) or toxicologist

Diagnostic Tests and Interpretation

Lab
  • APAP level
  • Electrolytes, BUN, creatinine, and glucose
  • Liver enzymes:
    • Elevated AST is the first abnormality detected
    • AST/ALT levels may rise >10,000 in stage III of toxicity
    • Bilirubin
  • PT/INR
  • Pregnancy test
  • Toxicology screen

Differential Diagnosis

  • Suspect APAP as coingestant with other drugs in overdose
  • Causes of acute onset hepatotoxicity:
    • Infectious hepatitis
    • Reye syndrome
    • Amanita sp. mushrooms toxicity
    • Herbal and dietary supplements
    • Alcohol overuse
    • Other drug ingestions

Treatment

Pre Hospital

  • Transport all pill bottles/pills involved in overdose for identification in ED
  • OTC cold remedies often contain APAP

Initial Stabilization/Therapy

  • Airway, breathing, circulation (ABCs)
  • Administer supplemental oxygen
  • Administer naloxone, thiamine, D50 (or Accu-Chek) for altered mental status

Ed Treatment/Procedures

  • Supportive care:
    • IV fluids
    • Antiemetics
  • Gastric decontamination:
    • Administer a single dose of activated charcoal if recent ingestion

N-Acetylcysteine Administration
  • Administer if toxic level detected as defined by Rumack–Matthew nomogram
  • NAC virtually 100% hepatoprotective if initiated within 8 hr of an acute overdose
  • NAC available in oral form or IV form
  • <8-hr postingestion:
    • Check APAP level
    • Initiate NAC if APAP level will not be available within 8 hr of ingestion and toxic ingestion suspected
    • Discontinue NAC if APAP level nontoxic
  • ≥8-hr postingestion:
    • Initiate NAC immediately if suspected toxic ingestion
    • Check APAP level
    • Discontinue NAC if APAP level is nontoxic
  • >24-hr postingestion or repeated staggered APAP ingestion:
    • Initiate NAC if:
      • Ingestion >150-mg/kg APAP
      • Symptomatic
      • Abnormal hepatic screening panel
      • Discontinue NAC if APAP falls to nondetectable level and LFTs improve by 36-hr postingestion
      • Call poison center ([800] 222-1222) or toxicologist for help

NAC Preparations
  • IV NAC:
    • Acetadote® infusion given per manufacturer's instructions:
      • Given over 21 hr in acute overdose
      • Duration may need to be extended if abnormal LFTs or in late presenters; consult poison center or toxicologist
  • Oral NAC:
    • Poor taste and odor:
      • Dilute to 5% with fruit juice or soft drink to increase palatability
    • Use antiemetics (metoclopramide or ondansetron) liberally to facilitate PO administration
    • If the patient vomits NAC within 1 hr of administration, repeat the dose
    • Administer NAC as a drip through nasogastric (NG) tube if vomiting continues
    • Given q4h

Pregnancy Considerations
  • No teratogenicity with NAC
  • NAC may be effective in protecting fetal liver:
    • Fetal liver metabolizes APAP to toxic NAPQI after 14-wk gestation


ALERT
IV NAC in pediatric patients requires careful calculation to avoid doing errors.

Medication

  • Acetadote: 21-hr IV infusion: 150 mg/kg over 60 min, then 50 mg/kg over 4 hr, then 100 mg/kg over 16 hr for total dose 300 mg/kg (see package insert for additional guidance, especially for pediatric infusion dosing)
  • NAC: 140-mg/kg PO loading (adult and pediatric) followed by 70 mg/kg q4h for 17 additional doses
  • Activated charcoal: 1–2 g/kg PO
  • Dextrose: D50W 1 amp (50 mL or 25 g; peds: D25W 2–4 mL/kg) IV
  • Metoclopramide: Start with 10 mg (peds: 0.1–0.2 mg/kg) IV (0.8 mg/kg/24 hr max.)
  • Naloxone (Narcan): 0.4–2 mg (peds: 0.1 mg/kg) IV or IM initial dose
  • Ondansetron: >80 kg, 12 mg; 45–80 kg, 8 mg (peds: 0.15 mg/kg) IV
  • Thiamine (vitamin B1): 100 mg (peds: 50 mg) IV or IM

Pregnancy Considerations
Treating the mother maximizes treatment for the fetus. NAC crosses the placenta and is considered safe PO or IV.

Ongoing Care

Disposition

Admission Criteria
  • Hepatotoxic level of APAP requiring full course of NAC therapy (see Treatment)
  • LFT abnormalities in the setting of staggered ingestion or late presentation
  • Nontoxic suicide attempt requiring psychiatric treatment

Discharge Criteria
Asymptomatic patients with nontoxic ingestions not requiring full course of NAC therapy

Issues for Referral
Evidence of significant hepatotoxicity at time of ED arrival that is typical of a late presenter warrants early evaluation by hepatology and/or transplant service.

Follow-Up Recommendations

  • Substance abuse referral for patients with oral opiate abuse
  • Patients with unintentional (accidental) poisoning require poison prevention counseling
  • Patients with intentional (e.g., suicide) poisoning require psychiatric evaluation

Pearls and Pitfalls

  • Consider occult APAP poisoning in patients evaluated for oral opiate abuse.
  • Do not use the nomogram for patients with chronic staggered ingestion or late presentation.
  • Do not stop NAC therapy until nondetectable APAP level and improvement (or resolution) of laboratory and clinical evidence of hepatotoxicity.

Additional Reading

  • Bunchorntavakul C, Reddy KR. Acetaminophen (APAP or N-acetyl-p-aminophenol) and acute liver failure. Clin Liver Dis. 2018;22(2):325–346.
  • Craig DG, Bates CM, Davidson JS, et al. Staggered overdose pattern and delay to hospital presentation are associated with adverse outcomes following paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2012;73(2):285–294.
  • Heard K. Acetylcysteine for acetaminophen poisoning. N Engl J Med. 2008;359(3):285–292.
  • Larson AM, Polson J, Fontana R, et al. Acetaminophen-induced acute liver failure: results of a United States multicenter, prospective study. Hepatology. 2005;42(6):1364–1372.
  • Williamson K, Wahl MS, Mycyk MB. Direct Comparison of 20-Hour IV, 36-Hour Oral, and 72-Hour Oral Acetylcysteine for Treatment of Acute Acetaminophen Poisoning. Am J Ther. 2013;20(1):37–40.

Authors

Mark B. Mycyk


© Wolters Kluwer Health Lippincott Williams & Wilkins