N-Acetylcysteine: Difference between revisions

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Intravenous acetylcysteine is indicated for the treatment of acetaminophen overdose by preventing depletion of glutathione reserves.
 
*Also known as NAC
 
*Intravenous acetylcysteine is indicated for the treatment of acetaminophen overdose by preventing depletion of glutathione reserves.


==N-acetylcysteine (NAC)==
==N-acetylcysteine (NAC)==
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#Anaphylactoid reaction but also associated with seizures, cerebral edema, & herniation. <ref>http://journals.lww.com/em-news/Fulltext/2012/02000/Toxicology_Rounds__Lessons_from_the_Courtroom_.9.aspx</ref>
#Anaphylactoid reaction but also associated with seizures, cerebral edema, & herniation. <ref>http://journals.lww.com/em-news/Fulltext/2012/02000/Toxicology_Rounds__Lessons_from_the_Courtroom_.9.aspx</ref>
#Anaphylaxis responds to standard therapies and can usually restart NAC without safely without complications.  <ref>Sandilands EA, Bateman DN. Adverse reactions associated with acetylcysteine. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2009;47(2):81-88. (Systematic literature review)</ref>
#Anaphylaxis responds to standard therapies and can usually restart NAC without safely without complications.  <ref>Sandilands EA, Bateman DN. Adverse reactions associated with acetylcysteine. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2009;47(2):81-88. (Systematic literature review)</ref>
==See Also==
*[[Acetaminophen (Tylenol) Toxicity]]


[[Category:Drugs]]
[[Category:Drugs]]

Revision as of 20:00, 28 January 2015

  • Also known as NAC
  • Intravenous acetylcysteine is indicated for the treatment of acetaminophen overdose by preventing depletion of glutathione reserves.

N-acetylcysteine (NAC)

Background

  1. Almost 100% effective if given <8 hr post-ingestion; less effective if 16-24 hr post-ingestion
  2. May still be useful >24 hr post-ingestion, even with fulminant hepatic failure. Give NAC until LFTs improve (not until APAP level is 0) [1] [2]
  3. Be aware NAC treatment may affect PT. May see a dose-dependent increase in PT following NAC in patients without hepatotoxicity. [3]

Dosing:

PO

  1. 140mg/kg PO load
  2. 70mg/kg PO q4hr x17 doses additional; dilute to 5% soln
Side Effects
sulfur-smell causes nausea and vomiting. Consider mixing with juice or soda, in a cup with a lid and straw

IV

  1. Loading dose: 150mg/kg in 100 mL D5W over 60min
  2. Second (maintenance) dose: 50mg/kg in 250 mL D5W over 4hr
  3. Third dose: 100mg/kg in 500 mL D5W over 16hr
Side Effects
  1. Anaphylactoid reaction but also associated with seizures, cerebral edema, & herniation. [4]
  2. Anaphylaxis responds to standard therapies and can usually restart NAC without safely without complications. [5]

See Also

  1. Keays R, Harrison PM, Wendon JA, et al. Intravenous acetylcysteine in paracetamol-induced fulminant hepatic failure: a prospective controlled trial. BMJ. 1991;303(6809):1026-1029. (Prospective randomized controlled trial; 50 patients)
  2. Harrison PM, Keays R, Bray GP, et al. Improved outcome of paracetamol-induced fulminant hepatic failure by late administration of N-acetylcysteine. Lancet. 1990;335(8705):1572- 1573. (Retrospective analysis; 100 patients)
  3. Wasserman GS, Garg U. Intravenous administration of Nacetylcysteine: interference with coagulopathy testing. Ann Emerg Med. 2004;44(5):546-547. (Letter)
  4. http://journals.lww.com/em-news/Fulltext/2012/02000/Toxicology_Rounds__Lessons_from_the_Courtroom_.9.aspx
  5. Sandilands EA, Bateman DN. Adverse reactions associated with acetylcysteine. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2009;47(2):81-88. (Systematic literature review)