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Lookup NU author(s): Professor Simon ThomasORCiD
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0).
AimsTo evaluate the role of reported daily dose, age and other risk factors, and to assess the value of quantifying serum transaminase activity and paracetamol (acetaminophen) concentration at initial assessment for identifying patients at risk of hepatotoxicity following repeated supratherapeutic paracetamol ingestion (RSPI).MethodsSystematic literature review with collation and analysis of individual-level data from reported cases of RSPI associated with liver damage.ResultsIn 199 cases meeting the selection criteria, severe liver damage (ALT/AST 1000IUl(-1), liver failure or death) was reported in 186 (93%) cases including 77/78 (99%) children aged 6 years. Liver failure occurred in 127 (64%) cases; of these 49 (39%) died. Maximum ingested daily paracetamol doses were above UK recommendations in 143 (72%) patients. US-Australasian thresholds for repeated supratherapeutic ingestions requiring intervention were not met in 71 (36%) cases; of these 35 (49%) developed liver failure and 10 (14%) died. No cases developing liver damage had paracetamol concentration < 20mgl(-1) and a normal ALT/AST on initial presentation or when RSPI was first suspected, but both of these values were only available for 79 (40%) cases.ConclusionsSevere liver damage is reported after RSPI in adults and children, sometimes involving reported doses below current thresholds for intervention. Paracetamol concentrations <20mgl(-1) with normal serum ALT/AST activity on initial assessment suggests a low risk of subsequent liver damage. These findings are, however, limited by low patient numbers, publication bias and the accuracy of the histories in reported cases.
Author(s): Acheampong P, Thomas SHL
Publication type: Review
Publication status: Published
Journal: British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology
Year: 2016
Volume: 82
Issue: 4
Pages: 923-931
Print publication date: 01/10/2016
Online publication date: 03/08/2016
Acceptance date: 19/05/2016
ISSN (print): 0306-5251
ISSN (electronic): 1365-2125
Publisher: WILEY-BLACKWELL
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bcp.13028
DOI: 10.1111/bcp.13028
