Delayed toxic acetaminophen level after initial four hour nontoxic level. 1994

T V Tighe, and F G Walter
Valley Medical Center, University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Fresno 93702.

Antidotal therapy for acetaminophen poisoning is routinely based on a single acetaminophen level obtained four or more hours after ingestion. Some experts recommend additional acetaminophen levels if there are coingestants. This case report describes a 20-year-old woman who ingested acetaminophen 13 g, propoxyphene napsylate 2 g and naproxen sodium 3.75 g. A 4.5 h acetaminophen level was 83.5 mg/L (nontoxic). A 6.75 h acetaminophen level was 124.6 mg/L (toxic). The patient was treated with N-acetylcysteine and recovered without sequelae. This is the first published report of a delayed toxic acetaminophen level occurring after an initial nontoxic level. Although rare, the possibility of a delayed peak acetaminophen level merits consideration, particularly with coingestions that delay gastric emptying.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009288 Naproxen An anti-inflammatory agent with analgesic and antipyretic properties. Both the acid and its sodium salt are used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and other rheumatic or musculoskeletal disorders, dysmenorrhea, and acute gout. Aleve,Anaprox,Methoxypropiocin,Naprosin,Naprosyn,Naproxen Sodium,Proxen,Sodium Naproxenate,Synflex,Naproxenate, Sodium,Sodium, Naproxen
D011431 Dextropropoxyphene A narcotic analgesic structurally related to METHADONE. Only the dextro-isomer has an analgesic effect; the levo-isomer appears to exert an antitussive effect. D-Propoxyphene,Darvon,Propoxyphene,Propoxyphene Hydrochloride,Propoxyphene Hydrochloride, (R*,R*)-(+-)-Isomer,Propoxyphene Hydrochloride, (R-(R*,R*))-Isomer,Propoxyphene Hydrochloride, (R-(R*,S*))-Isomer,Propoxyphene Hydrochloride, (S-(R*,R*))-Isomer,Propoxyphene Maleate, (+)-Isomer,Propoxyphene Phosphate, (S-(R*,S*))-Isomer,Propoxyphene Sulfate, (S-(R*,S*))-Isomer,D Propoxyphene,Hydrochloride, Propoxyphene
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000082 Acetaminophen Analgesic antipyretic derivative of acetanilide. It has weak anti-inflammatory properties and is used as a common analgesic, but may cause liver, blood cell, and kidney damage. Acetamidophenol,Hydroxyacetanilide,Paracetamol,APAP,Acamol,Acephen,Acetaco,Acetominophen,Algotropyl,Anacin-3,Datril,N-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)acetanilide,N-Acetyl-p-aminophenol,Panadol,Tylenol,p-Acetamidophenol,p-Hydroxyacetanilide,Anacin 3,Anacin3
D000111 Acetylcysteine The N-acetyl derivative of CYSTEINE. It is used as a mucolytic agent to reduce the viscosity of mucous secretions. It has also been shown to have antiviral effects in patients with HIV due to inhibition of viral stimulation by reactive oxygen intermediates. Mercapturic Acid,Acemuc,Acetabs,Acetylcystein AL,Acetylcystein Atid,Acetylcystein Heumann,Acetylcystein Trom,Acetylcysteine Hydrochloride,Acetylcysteine Sodium,Acetylcysteine Zinc,Acetylcysteine, (D)-Isomer,Acetylcysteine, (DL)-Isomer,Acetylcysteine, Monoammonium Salt,Acetylcysteine, Monosodium Salt,Acetylin,Acetyst,Acétylcystéine GNR,Airbron,Alveolex,Azubronchin,Bisolvon NAC,Bromuc,Broncho-Fips,Broncholysin,Broncoclar,Codotussyl,Cystamucil,Dampo Mucopect,Eurespiran,Exomuc,Fabrol,Fluimucil,Fluprowit,Frekatuss,Genac,Hoestil,Ilube,Jenacystein,Jenapharm,Lantamed,Larylin NAC,Lindocetyl,M-Pectil,Muciteran,Muco Sanigen,Mucomyst,Mucosil,Mucosol,Mucosolvin,N-Acetyl-L-cysteine,N-Acetylcysteine,NAC AL,NAC Zambon,Optipect Hustengetränk,Siccoral,Siran,Solmucol,acebraus,durabronchal,mentopin Acetylcystein,Acetylcystein, mentopin,Acid, Mercapturic,Broncho Fips,BronchoFips,Hustengetränk, Optipect,Hydrochloride, Acetylcysteine,M Pectil,MPectil,Monoammonium Salt Acetylcysteine,Monosodium Salt Acetylcysteine,Mucopect, Dampo,N Acetyl L cysteine,N Acetylcysteine,NAC, Bisolvon,Sanigen, Muco,Sodium, Acetylcysteine,Zambon, NAC,Zinc, Acetylcysteine
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D013997 Time Factors Elements of limited time intervals, contributing to particular results or situations. Time Series,Factor, Time,Time Factor
D062787 Drug Overdose Accidental or deliberate use of a medication or street drug in excess of normal dosage. Drug Overdoses,Overdose, Drug,Overdoses, Drug

Related Publications

T V Tighe, and F G Walter
June 2014, Clinical toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.),
T V Tighe, and F G Walter
April 2004, Clinical pediatrics,
T V Tighe, and F G Walter
November 1991, Surgery, gynecology & obstetrics,
T V Tighe, and F G Walter
April 1989, Journal of clinical psychopharmacology,
T V Tighe, and F G Walter
January 1992, Journal of nuclear biology and medicine (Turin, Italy : 1991),
T V Tighe, and F G Walter
July 1978, Gut,
Copied contents to your clipboard!