Geriatric Toxicology Part 2 – Acetaminophen

Posted on January 11, 2016 by Christina Shenvi, MD, PhD, MBA

Tylenol_rapid_release_pillsAcetaminophen overdoses can be deadly if they are not rapidly identified and treated. While the treatment is relatively simple, there are still subtleties and ambiguities. How do you identify who needs treatment? Which patients should be transferred to a facility that has liver transplantation capabilities? What are “line-crossers”? In this episode, May Yen talks us through some of the finer points of identifying and managing acute and chronic acetaminophen overdoses, particularly as it relates to older adults.

Image credit [1]

This entry was posted in Medications and Adverse Drug Events, Toxicology. Bookmark the permalink.

3 Responses to Geriatric Toxicology Part 2 – Acetaminophen

  1. Jerry Adams says:
    January 20, 2016 at 9:00 pm

    Thanks so much for your article. I am 67 y.o. and take acetaminophen. I will be careful about dosage and watch for alternatives.

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  2. Christina Shenvi says:
    January 22, 2016 at 3:48 pm

    Thanks for the feedback! Being aware of the acetaminophen that is present in combined medications such as cough/cold formulations is important, so as not to go over the total daily limit.

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  3. Pingback: LITFL Review 215 | LITFL: Life in the Fast Lane Medical Blog

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