ACETAMINOPHEN TOXICITY Flashcards
Approach to the Critically Ill Acetaminophen Toxicity
ABC(MOVIE)DDDDDS
Monitor
Oxygen if required
IV Access
Vitals
ECG / Airway Equipment
AIRWAY / BREATHING
Generally no concern unless AMS as a late finding of hepatic encephalopathy
CIRCULATION
DISABILITY
GCS
Pupils
Lateralizing sigs
Generally no concern unless AMS as a late finding of hepatic encephalopathy OR if co-formulation with other medications
DETAILED PHYSICAL EXAM(Secondary Survey)
There are no reliable early signs or symptoms suggestive of toxicity
DRUGS
Universal Antidotes - none unless indicated
DECONTAMINATION
Activated charcoal 1 g / kg if ingested within 1 hr
DRAW LABS
serum acetaminophen levels
VBG
Lactate
CBC
Electrolytes
AST / ALT
INR / aPTT
Single potentially toxic doses are >150 mg/kg or >10 g in adults.
Increased risk of hepatotoxicity with massive ingestion (>30 g)
4 hours post ingestion
if the time of single acute ingestion is known OR
Immediately if the time of ingestion is unknown
AND
Plot on Rumack-Matthew nonogram.
SPECIFIC ANTEDOTES
150 mg / kg loading dose N-acetylcysteine within 8 hours of ingestion:
4 hour levels are above the treatment line (>1000 umol / L in the US)
OR
Elevated AST / ALT with any detectable acetaminophen concentration in the setting of unknown or chronic ingestion
Pregnant patients are treated as non-pregnant patients
History & Physical
There are no reliable early signs or symptoms suggestive of toxicity
Things to ask:
What was taken
When was it taken (TIME)
How much was taken (DOSE AND NUMBER OF TABLETS)
Type of preparation (IMMEDIATE OR SUSTAINED RELEASE)
How it was taken (ROUTE)
What else was taken (CO-INGESTIONS?)
Why was it taken (INTENTIONAL VS ACCIDENTAL)
COLLATERAL INFORMATION: medication containers, EMS
ONSET OF SYMPTOMS
There are no reliable signs or symptoms of acute acetaminophen toxicity
Investigations
Serum Acetaminophen level
CBC
Liver Function Tests (AST / ALT, bilirubin, INR / aPTT)
VBG
Lactate Level
Electrolytes
Renal Function
ECG
Management
Activated charcoal 1 g / kg if ingested within 1 hr
N-acetylcysteine within 8 hours of ingestion if:
4 hour levels are above the treatment line (>1000 umol / L in the US)
OR
Elevated AST / ALT with any Detectable acetaminophen concentration in the setting of unknown or chronic ingestion
N-acetylcysteine 3-bag protocol:
Bag 1:
150 mg/kg added to 200 mL of 5% dextrose in water (D5W) or sterile water for infusion
Infuse at 150 mg/kg/hour over 1 hour
Bag 2:
50 mg/kg added to 500 mL of D5W or sterile water for infusion
Infuse at 12.5 mg/kg/hour over 4 hours
Bag 3:
100 mg/kg added to 1,000 mL of D5W or sterile water for infusion
Infuse at 6.25 mg/kg/hour over 16 hours
OR
N-acetylcysteine 1-bag intravenous protocol:
30 g in 1 L of D5W (30 mg/mL)
Bolus from bag 150 mg/kg over 1 hour
Infuse at 12.5 mg/kg/hour over the next 20 hours
Repeat labs before completion 21-hour infusion or 24 hours after overdose.
Continue N-acetylcysteine if acetaminophen concentration is detectable or with rising AST/ALT and PT/INR.
Discontinue if acetaminophen concentration is undetectable and AST, ALT, and PT/INR are normalizing.
Pregnant patients are treated as non-pregnant patients
Disposition: Discharge or Admission
Discharge:
APAP concentration <150 μg/mL (1,000 μmol/L) at 4 hours or below Rumack-Matthew nomogram treatment line after 4 hours following a single acute poisoning.
Admission:
All patients receiving N-acetylcysteine go to floor
Consider ICU if:
Hemodynamic Instability
Signs of acute liver failure
Clinical Deterioration
King’s College Criteria indicated probable need for liver transplant
Any of the following: lactate >3.0 mmol/L, pH <7.3, or recalcitrant hypotension despite adequate resuscitation
OR
All of the following: creatinine >3.3 mg/dL (>300 µmol/L), PT >100 s (INR >6.5), and grade III or IV encephalopathy