Cimetidine in the treatment of acetaminophen overdose.

Abstract

Acetaminophen overdose is generally treated with oral N-acetylcysteine. While N-acetylcysteine is protective, an additional effective mode of treatment is desirable in large overdoses. A growing body of evidence suggests that cimetidine significantly reduces the hepatotoxicity of an acetaminophen overdose and that its hepatoprotective action may be additive to that of N-acetylcysteine. We report a case of acetaminophen overdose treated with oral N-acetylcysteine in conjunction with cimetidine by continuous i.v. infusion. The 4-h acetaminophen level was 410 micrograms/ml, and the highest measured level of serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase was 83 IU/L on day 3, indicating minimal hepatic toxicity.

• Authors: G C Rolband, S P Marcuard
• Journal: Journal of clinical gastroenterology (J Clin Gastroenterol) Vol. 13 Issue 1 Pg. 79-82 (Feb 1991) ISSN: 0192-0790 [Print] United States
• PMID: 2007751 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Acetaminophen
• Cimetidine
• Acetylcysteine

Topics

• Acetaminophen (poisoning)
• Acetylcysteine (therapeutic use)
• Adult
• Cimetidine (therapeutic use)
• Drug Overdose (drug therapy)
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Female
• Humans