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What is the treatment for paracetamol poisoning?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

My friend took 4 g of Paracetamol yesterday morning for back pain. Then, he visited the hospital yesterday evening for Paracetamol poisoning. What is the treatment for this situation?
Answered by Dr. Sadaf Mustafa

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Sadaf Mustafa is an Internal Medicine Specialist. She can diagnose and manage complex and multisystem disease. She can treat chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disorders. She can provide preventive care and routine health assessments. She can help in the management of infections and autoimmune diseases. She helps in the interpretation of diagnostic tests and imaging reports. She can do medication management and adjustment for long-term therapies.

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Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com. More than 3.5 g of Acetaminophen can cause liver toxicity. But, one time dose should not cause too much harm. Technically, if it is more than two to four days, then the accumulative effect is dangerous. Since he went late, I doubt that he would have received the activated charcoal. The drug choice is N-Acetylcysteine. The treatment is aimed at removing the Acetaminophen from the circulation and replacing it by glutathione. This antidote Acetylcysteine acts as a precursor for glutathione. It helps to prevent damage to the liver. N-acetylcysteine can neutralize NAPQI (N-Acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine) by itself, which is an active metabolite of Paracetamol causing the main damage. There are protocols using N-Acetylcysteine that can be followed to help prevent progression of the disease, but it depends upon the hospital if they have adopted it or not.

Medically reviewed by iCliniq medical review team
Published At November 28, 2016
Reviewed At January 13, 2024

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Sadaf Mustafa is an Internal Medicine Specialist. She can diagnose and manage complex and multisystem disease. She can treat chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disorders. She can provide preventive care and routine health assessments. She can help in the management of infections and autoimmune diseases. She helps in the interpretation of diagnostic tests and imaging reports. She can do medication management and adjustment for long-term therapies.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality

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Prep / Recovery Guide

Acetaminophen Overdose: Immediate Care and Recovery Guide

How it works

Acetaminophen is a common pain reliever, but taking too much can lead to serious health risks. Understanding the signs and steps to take is crucial.

1

Understand
Toxicity

2

Recognize
Symptoms

3

Immediate
Actions

4

Hospital
Treatment

5

Monitoring
Follow-up

6

Prevent
Incidents

This information is based on general medical guidance. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice; consult a qualified clinician.

Always consult a doctor before taking medication; self-medication carries serious health risks. Take exact prescribed doses, and never start, change, or stop treatment without medical supervision.
Dr. Sadaf Mustafa
Dr. Sadaf Mustafa

Internal Medicine

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Sadaf Mustafa is an Internal Medicine Specialist. She can diagnose and manage complex and multisystem disease. She can treat chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disorders. She can provide preventive care and routine health assessments. She can help in the management of infections and autoimmune diseases. She helps in the interpretation of diagnostic tests and imaging reports. She can do medication management and adjustment for long-term therapies.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality
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