Adverse Reactions To Acetylcysteine And Effects Of Overdose

Since the introduction in 1979 of intravenous acetylcysteine (Parvolex) as an antidote for overdosage of paracetamol the National Poisons Information Service and the manufacturer have been notified of 38 adverse reactions that were anaphylactoid in nature and 19 accidental overdoses. The most common...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inBritish medical journal (Clinical research ed.) Vol. 289; no. 6439; pp. 217 - 219
Main Authors Mant, T. G. K., Tempowski, J. H., Volans, G. N., Talbot, J. C. C.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England British Medical Association 28.07.1984
BMJ Publishing Group LTD
Subjects
Acetylcysteine - adverse effects
Acetylcysteine - poisoning
Adult
Adverse drug reactions
Ampoules
Anaphylaxis - chemically induced
Angioedema - chemically induced
Antidotes
Bronchial spasm
Bronchial Spasm - chemically induced
Dosage
Drug Eruptions - etiology
Drug Labeling
Female
Flushing - chemically induced
Humans
Hypotension
Hypotension - chemically induced
Information services
Overdose
Poisons
Questionnaires
Urticaria - chemically induced
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Summary:Since the introduction in 1979 of intravenous acetylcysteine (Parvolex) as an antidote for overdosage of paracetamol the National Poisons Information Service and the manufacturer have been notified of 38 adverse reactions that were anaphylactoid in nature and 19 accidental overdoses. The most common feature of the anaphylactoid reaction to normal dosage was rash; other features reported included angioedema, hypotension, and bronchospasm; all the patients recovered. The features associated with an overdose of acetylcysteine were similar but more severe; two patients died, but the extent to which the overdose of acetylcysteine may have been implicated was not clear in either case.
ISSN:0267-0623
DOI:10.1136/bmj.289.6439.217