ANTIDOTES

Question 1

Acetylcysteine dosing for paracetamol overdose in adults and children over 40kg

Answer 1

150 mg/kg over 1 hour, dose to be administered in 200 mL glucose 5%

then 50 mg/kg over 4 hours, to be started immediately after completion of first infusion, dose to be administered in 500 mL glucose 5%

then 100 mg/kg over 16 hours, to be started immediately after completion of second infusion, dose to be administered in 1 litre glucose 5%

Question 2

Acetylcysteine dosing in children 20-39kg

Answer 2

Initially 150 mg/kg over 1 hour, dose to be administered in 100 mL glucose 5%,
followed by 50 mg/kg over 4 hours, dose to be administered in 250 mL glucose 5%,
then 100 mg/kg over 16 hours, dose to be administered in 500 mL glucose 5%