A client overdose on acetaminophen. which organ should the nurse most closely monitor

Acetaminophen is one of the most commonly used oral analgesics and antipyretics. [1] It has an excellent safety profile when administered in proper therapeutic doses, but hepatotoxicity can occur after overdose or when misused in at-risk populations. In the United States, acetaminophen toxicity has replaced viral hepatitis as the most common cause of acute liver failure. [2]

Acetaminophen metabolism occurs primarily in the liver and is illustrated in the image below.

Most patients who overdose on acetaminophen will initially be asymptomatic, as clinical symptoms of end-organ toxicity do not manifest until 24-48 hours after an acute ingestion. Therefore, to identify a patient who may be at risk of hepatoxicity, the clinician should determine the time(s) of ingestion, the quantity, and the formulation of acetaminophen ingested.

Minimum toxic doses of acetaminophen for a single ingestion, posing significant risk of severe hepatotoxicity, are as follows:

• Adults: 7.5-10 g

• Children: 150 mg/kg; 200 mg/kg in healthy children aged 1-6 years

The clinical course of acetaminophen toxicity generally is divided into four phases. Physical findings may vary, depending on the degree of hepatotoxicity.

Phase 1

• 0.5-24 hours after ingestion

• Patients may be asymptomatic or report anorexia, nausea or vomiting, and malaise

• Physical examination may reveal pallor, diaphoresis, malaise, and fatigue

Phase 2

• 18-72 h after ingestion

• Patients develop right upper quadrant abdominal pain, anorexia, nausea, and vomiting

• Right upper quadrant tenderness may be present

• Tachycardia and hypotension may indicate volume losses

• Some patients may report decreased urinary output (oliguria)

Phase 3: Hepatic phase

• 72-96 h after ingestion

• Patients have continued nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, and a tender hepatic edge

• Hepatic necrosis and dysfunction may manifest as jaundice, coagulopathy, hypoglycemia, and hepatic encephalopathy

• Acute kidney injury develops in some critically ill patients

• Death from multiorgan failure may occur

Phase 4: Recovery phase

• 4 d to 3 wk after ingestion

• Patients who survive critical illness in phase 3 have complete resolution of symptoms and complete resolution of organ failure

See Presentation for more detail.

The serum acetaminophen concentration is the basis for diagnosis and treatment. A diagnostic serum concentration is helpful, even in the absence of clinical symptoms, because clinical symtpoms are delayed. The Rumack-Matthew nomogram interprets the acetaminophen concentration (in micrograms per mL), in relation to time (in hours) after ingestion, and is predictive of possible hepatotoxicity after single, acute ingestions of acetaminophen.

Recommended serum studies are follows:

• Liver function tests (alanine aminotransferase [ALT], aspartate aminotransferase [AST]), bilirubin [total and fractionated], alkaline phosphatase)

• Prothrombin time (PT) with international normalized ratio (INR)

• Glucose

• Kidney function studies (electrolytes, BUN, creatinine)

• Lipase and amylase (in patients with abdominal pain)

• Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) (in females of childbearing age)

• Salicylate level (in patients with concern of co-ingestants)

• Arterial blood gas and ammonia (in clinically compromised patients)

Additional recommended studies are as follows:

• Urinalysis (to check for hematuria and proteinuria)

• ECG (to detect additional clues for co-ingestants)

In patients with mental status changes, strongly consider serum ammonia levels and CT scanning of the brain. Laboratory findings in the phases of acetaminophen hepatotoxicity are as follows:

• Phase 1: Approximately 12 hours after an acute ingestion, liver function studies show a subclinical rise in serum transaminase concentrations (ALT, AST)

• Phase 2: Elevated serum ALT and AST, PT, and bilirubin concentration; renal function abnormalities may also be present and indicate nephrotoxicity

• Phase 3: Severe hepatotoxicity is evident on serum studies; hepatic centrilobular necrosis is diagnosed on liver biopsy

Rumack-Matthew nomogram

• Used to interpret plasma acetaminophen values to assess hepatotoxicity risk after a single, acute ingestion

• Nomogram tracking begins 4 hours after ingestion (time when acetaminophen absorption is likely to be complete) and ends 24 hours after ingestion

• About 60% of patients with values above the "probable" line develop hepatotoxicity

See Workup for more detail.

Gastrointestinal decontamination agents can be used in the emergency setting during the immediate postingestion time frame. Administer activated charcoal (AC) if the patient is alert and presents, ideally, within 1 hour post ingestion. This time frame can be extended if the patient has ingested an acetaminophen-based sustained-release medication or if the ingestion includes agents that are known to slow gastric emptying. Patients with acetaminophen concentrations below the “possible" line for hepatotoxicity on the Rumack-Matthew nomogram may be discharged home after they are medically cleared.

Admit patients with acetaminophen concentration above the "possible" line on the Rumack-Matthew nomogram for treatment with N -acetylcysteine (NAC). NAC is nearly 100% hepatoprotective when it is given within 8 hours after an acute acetaminophen ingestion, but can be beneficial in patients who present more than 24 hours after ingestion. NAC is approved for both oral and IV administration.

The FDA-approved regimen for oral administration of NAC (Mucomyst) is as follows:

• Loading dose of 140 mg/kg

• 17 doses of 70 mg/kg given every 4 hours

• Total treatment duration of 72 hours

The IV formulation of NAC (Acetadote) is commonly used in many institutions for the treatment of acetaminophen ingestion. Use of the IV formulation of NAC is preferred in the following situations:

• Altered mental status

• GI bleeding and/or obstruction

• A history of caustic ingestion

• Potential toxicity in a pregnant woman

• Inability to tolerate oral NAC because of emesis refractory to proper use of antiemetics

Surgical evaluation for possible liver transplantation is indicated for patients who have severe hepatotoxicity and potential to progress to hepatic failure. Criteria for liver transplantation include the following:

• Metabolic acidosis, persistent after fluid resuscitation

• Kidney failure

• Coagulopathy

• Encephalopathy

See Treatment and Medication for more detail.

See also the following:

For patient education information, see Tylenol Poisoning.

Acetaminophen toxicity is the second most common cause of liver transplantation worldwide and the most common cause of liver transplantation in the US. It is responsible for 56,000 emergency department visits, 2,600 hospitalizations, and 500 deaths per year in the United States. Fifty percent of these are unintentional overdoses. More than 60 million Americans consume acetaminophen on a weekly basis, and many are unaware that it is contained in combined products. This activity reviews the etiology, evaluation, and treatment of acetaminophen overdose and highlights the importance of the interprofessional team in both managing and preventing this problem.

Objectives:

• Review the pathophysiology of acetaminophen toxicity.

• Describe the four clinical stages of acetaminophen toxicity.

• Identify the treatment strategies for an alert patient who presents within an hour of overdose versus a patient who presents after two hours.

• Explain interprofessional team strategies for educating patients about acetaminophen toxicity with the goal of preventing overdose.

Acetaminophen (N-acetyl-para-aminophenol, paracetamol, APAP) toxicity is common primarily because the medication is so readily available, and there is a perception that it is very safe. More than 60 million Americans consume acetaminophen on a weekly basis. Acetaminophen is used in many products in combination with other preparations, especially with opioids and diphenhydramine. Many people are not aware that it is contained in these combination medications.[1][2][3]

Acetaminophen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), with a mechanism of action different from other NSAIDs. Its mode of action is not clearly understood, but it appears to inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX) in the brain selectively. This results in its ability to treat fever and pain. It may also inhibit prostaglandin synthesis in the central nervous system (CNS). Acetaminophen directly acts on the hypothalamus producing an antipyretic effect.[4]

Even though acetaminophen has a good safety profile at therapeutic levels, it can cause severe liver toxicity if taken in large amounts. The recommended dose of acetaminophen for adults is 650 mg to 1000 mg every 4 to 6 hours, not to exceed 4 grams/day. In children, the dose is 15 mg/kg every 6 hours, up to 60 mg/kg/day. Toxicity develops at 7.5 g/day to 10 g/day or 140 mg/kg.[5]

Acetaminophen toxicity is the second most common cause of liver transplantation worldwide and the most common in the US. It is responsible for 56,000 emergency department visits, 2600 hospitalizations, and 500 deaths per year in the United States. Fifty percent of these are unintentional overdoses.[6][7][8]

Although acetaminophen poisoning is more common in children, adults often present with a more serious and fatal presentation.[9]

Acetaminophen is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and reaches therapeutic levels in 30 minutes to 2 hours. Overdose levels peak at 4 hours unless other factors could delay gastric emptying, such as a co-ingestion of an agent that slows gastric motility, or if the acetaminophen is in an extended-release form.[5]

Acetaminophen has an elimination half-life of 2 hours, but can be as long as 17 hours in patients with hepatic dysfunction. It is metabolized by the liver, where it is conjugated to nontoxic, water-soluble metabolites that are excreted in the urine.[10]

The histological features of acetaminophen toxicity will reveal cytolysis and the presence of centrilobular necrosis. The injury to the latter is chiefly due to the elevated levels of N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI) in this zone.[11]

Metabolism primarily occurs through glucuronidation and sulfuration, both of which occur in the liver. In an overdose, these pathways are saturated, and more acetaminophen is subsequently metabolized to NAPQI by cytochrome P450. NAPQI is a toxic substance that is safely reduced by glutathione to nontoxic mercaptate and cysteine compounds, which are then renally excreted. An overdose depletes the stores of glutathione, and once they reach less than 30% of normal, NAPQI levels increase and subsequently binds to hepatic macromolecules causing hepatic necrosis. This is irreversible.[12][13]

Many anti-epileptic and anti-tuberculosis medications are known to increase the activity of cytochrome P450. There is also increased activity of this enzyme in alcoholics and smokers, although acute intoxication with alcohol or cirrhosis can decrease the activity of cytochrome P450.[14]

Glucuronidation is dependent on carbohydrate stores, and more acetaminophen is converted to NAPQI in the malnourished patient. There are also decreased stores of glutathione in alcoholics and patients with AIDS.

The clinical course of acetaminophen toxicity is divided into four stages.[15]

• During the first stage (30 min to 24 hours), the patient may be asymptomatic or may have emesis.

• In the second stage (18 hours to 72 hours), there may be emesis plus right upper quadrant pain and hypotension.

• In the third stage (72 hours to 96 hours), liver dysfunction is significant with renal failure, coagulopathies, metabolic acidosis, and encephalopathy. Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms reappear, and death is most common at this stage.

• The fourth stage (4 days to 3 weeks) is marked by recovery.

The diagnosis of acetaminophen toxicity is based on serum levels of the drug, even if there are no symptoms. Other laboratory studies needed include liver function tests (LFTs) and coagulation profile (PT/INR). If the ingestion is severe, LFTs can rise within 8 to 12 hours of ingestion. Normally LFTS remain elevated in the second stage at 18 to 72 hours. Co-ingestions can be important, and a urine drug screen, EKG, and a metabolic panel may be useful. If serum levels fall into the toxic range based on the Rumack-Matthew Nomogram, then treatment should be initiated. A level greater than 140 mcg/mL at 4 hours from ingestion is considered toxic. Serum levels must be drawn between 4 to 24 hours from the time of ingestion to use the nomogram properly. It can also only be applied to single acute ingestion.[16][17][18]

For chronic acetaminophen ingestions, the Rumack-Matthew Nomogram cannot be applied. Acetaminophen levels do not correlate well with the degree of overdose. In these cases, the provider must use risk factors, lab values, and clinical suspicion to determine whether or not there was significant ingestion. Suspect and treat an overdose if the acetaminophen level is greater than 20 mcg/mL or if LFTs are elevated. There is usually less toxicity as the liver can regenerate its glutathione stores.

The treatment of acetaminophen poisoning depends on when the drug was ingested. If the patient presents within 1 hour of ingestion, GI decontamination may be attempted. In alert patients, activated charcoal can be used. Orogastric lavage or whole bowel irrigation is not effective.[19][20][21]

All patients with high levels of acetaminophen need admission and treatment with N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC). This agent is fully protective against liver toxicity if given within 8 hours after ingestion. NAC works through multiple routes. It prevents the binding of NAPQI to hepatic macromolecules, acts as a substitute for glutathione, is a precursor for sulfate, and reduces NAPQI back to acetaminophen. Indications for NAC include serum levels that fall in the toxic range according to the Rumack-Matthew nomogram, an APAP level greater than 10 mcg/mL with an unknown time of ingestion, a dose of acetaminophen greater than 140 mg/kg taken more than 8 hours ago,  abnormal labs with ingestion more than 24 hours ago, and ingestion with any evidence of liver injury.[22]

NAC can be administered both intravenously (IV) and orally. The IV form has shown to decrease the length of the hospital stay and may be better tolerated by the patient as the oral form has a foul rotten egg odor and taste. The oral form also requires 18 doses given 4 hours apart, with the total treatment time being 72 hours. In comparison, the IV form requires only 20 hours of treatment. The IV form also is preferred in pregnant patients and when there is a fulminant hepatic failure.

Patients who continue to have deterioration such as renal failure, metabolic acidosis, encephalopathy, and coagulopathy should have a referral to a transplant surgeon. In patients who present 24 hours after the ingestion of acetaminophen, NAC administration should still be attempted and may improve survival. At this stage, it can act as an antioxidant that diminishes hepatic necrosis, decreases neutrophil infiltration, improves microcirculatory blood flow, and increases tissue oxygen delivery. Hemodialysis can also be an effective treatment, especially with concurrent renal failure.  

There is no need to adjust the dose for patients with alcoholism or the chronically ill, and it is safe in pregnancy. Repeat acetaminophen levels are also not needed after treatment has begun. 

NAC should be continued past 72 hours if there is a fulminant hepatic failure until the patient receives a liver transplant, recovers, or dies.[23][24]

Following are some of the important differential diagnoses that need to be considered when dealing with acetaminophen toxicity:

• Hepatorenal syndrome

• Viral hepatitis

• Wilson disease

• Pancreatitis

• Emergent management of pancreatitis

• Acute tubular necrosis

• Amatoxin toxicity

• Cytomegalovirus infection

• Gastroenteritis

• Peptic ulcer disease

• Viral hepatitis

• Wilson disease

If the patient is diagnosed and treated promptly, the mortality for acetaminophen toxicity is less than 2%. However, if patients present late and have developed severe liver failure, the mortality is high. About 1% to 3% of patients with severe liver failure need to undergo a liver transplant as a life-saving measure.[25][26][27]

In general, children less than 6 years of age have a better prognosis than adults, chiefly because of their greater capacity to detoxify APAP. The overall prognosis of patients depends on the following criteria:

• Creatinine levels more than 3.4 mg/dL

• Arterial pH remaining less than 7.3 despite adequate fluid hydration

• Prothrombin time more than 1.8 times control or an INR of more than 6.5

• Development of grade 3 or 4 encephalopathy

Acetaminophen can cause dangerous skin reactions. These include Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP). These conditions are extremely painful and can lead to blindness and death. Acetaminophen can lead to acute liver failure, which may only be treated with an emergent liver transplant.

It is crucial to increase awareness and understanding of the general population with regards to acetaminophen dosing and toxicity. The nurse and pharmacist play an important role in educating the family about the toxicity of acetaminophen. Acetaminophen should be kept out of reach of children.

In general, all drug toxicities are managed with an interprofessional team of healthcare professionals. Besides physicians, the role of the nurse and pharmacist cannot be overstated. The nurse and pharmacist are key players in educating the family about the potential toxicity of acetaminophen. The parents should be informed that acetaminophen must be placed out of reach of children. In addition, the parents have to know the proper dosing for children and appreciate the fact that there are pediatric and adult doses of the drug. When patients are discharged, they should be provided with clear instructions on drug dosage, frequency, and route of administration. All parents should be educated on reading the label of the vial containing the medication. Finally, parents need to be educated that combining drugs can also increase the risk of toxicity and this practice should be avoided.[28][29]

Review Questions

1.

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