Emergency Medical Minute

Contributor: Jorge Chalit-Hernandez, OMS4 Educational Pearls: What is the toxic dose of acetaminophen? 7.5 grams, in an adult. The safe daily limit is 4 grams in an adult with a normally functioning liver. This is equivalent to fifteen 500mg pills. What are the symptoms of acetaminophen toxicity? First 24 hours, symptoms are non-specific e.g. nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite. Can also be asymptomatic. 24-72 hours, hepatotoxicity occurs (causing yellow skin, pruritus, abdominal pain, bleeding, and confusion) Fulminant liver failure at 72-96 hours Liver function tests (LFTs) peak at 72-96 hours. When would you give activated charcoal? Within 4 hours of ingestion. The risk of activated charcoal is that it can be very dangerous if aspirated so use with caution with a poorly mentating patient When would you give N-acetylcysteine (NAC)? The peak absorption of acetaminophen occurs at about 4 hours with acute ingestions Use the Rumack–Matthew nomogram to plot the serum level of acetaminophen versus the t