Clinical toxicology : the official journal of the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology and European Association of Poisons Centres and Clinical Toxicologists
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Paracetamol (acetaminophen) poisoning is the most common cause of acute liver failure in the developed world. A paracetamol treatment nomogram has been used for over four decades to help determine whether patients will develop hepatotoxicity without acetylcysteine treatment, and thus indicates those needing treatment. Despite this, a small proportion of patients still develop hepatotoxicity. More accurate risk predictors would be useful to increase the early detection of patients with the potential to develop hepatotoxicity despite acetylcysteine treatment. Similarly, there would be benefit in early identification of those with a low likelihood of developing hepatotoxicity, as this group may be safely treated with an abbreviated acetylcysteine regimen. ⋯ Risk prediction tools can stratify those that are more likely to develop hepatotoxicity. Currently, the paracetamol-aminotransferase multiplication product may be such a tool. Novel biomarkers show promise but need further validation and greater clinical availability. These tools may help inform clinical trials on modified acetylcysteine regimens.
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Paracetamol (acetaminophen) poisoning is the most common cause of acute liver failure in the developed world. A paracetamol treatment nomogram has been used for over four decades to help determine whether patients will develop hepatotoxicity without acetylcysteine treatment, and thus indicates those needing treatment. Despite this, a small proportion of patients still develop hepatotoxicity. More accurate risk predictors would be useful to increase the early detection of patients with the potential to develop hepatotoxicity despite acetylcysteine treatment. Similarly, there would be benefit in early identification of those with a low likelihood of developing hepatotoxicity, as this group may be safely treated with an abbreviated acetylcysteine regimen. ⋯ Risk prediction tools can stratify those that are more likely to develop hepatotoxicity. Currently, the paracetamol-aminotransferase multiplication product may be such a tool. Novel biomarkers show promise but need further validation and greater clinical availability. These tools may help inform clinical trials on modified acetylcysteine regimens.