Acute paracetamol poisonings received at the Oran University Hospital

Abstract

Introduction Paracetamol is the most commonly used drug worldwide for its analgesic/antipyretic effect and especially a non-prescription access in pharmacies. Acute Paracetamol poisoning remains problematic for clinicians because of its insidious progression to fulminant hepatitis and even death. This work proposes to draw up the epidemiological profile of acute Paracetamol poisonings. Materials and Methods A retrospective descriptive study has been carried out over 8 years on cases of acute Paracetamol poisoning received at the Pharmacology Toxicology department of University Hospital of Oran (UHO). Data were collected using a pre-established fact sheet. Toxicological analysis was carried out by colorimetric and enzyme immunoassay method. Results and Discussion A total of 400 cases were recorded, mainly from emergency departments of UHO (85 %). These are suicide attempts in 82 % of cases, observed especially in adolescents (69 %), and accidental poisoning in 12 % of cases, predominant in small children (89 %). Half of the patients were admitted asymptomatic in the first 24 h of intoxication. Digestive and neurological disorders were the most described (18.75 % and 20.5 %). The quantitative determination of Paracetamol showed that 16 cases had a high risk of developing liver injury and required antidote therapy, based on N-acetylcysteine. The evolution was mostly favorable (84 %) but 8 patients had liver damage and 5 deaths were recorded. Conclusion Although it seems benign, acute Paracetamol poisoning is serious and requires adequate care making clinicians collaborate with toxicologists. The general population must be made aware of the dangers of Paracetamol. The pharmacist must provide the necessary information concerning the recommended doses and the toxicity.

Estimates of Paracetamol Poisoning in Brazil: Analysis of Official Records From 1990s to 2020

“…Poisoning data identification and analysis in official databases, similar to present effort, are widely used as a surveillance method in other countries (Nourjah et al, 2006;Gedeborg et al, 2017) and are considered valuable sources to assess the magnitude of the problem. Deaths, hospital admissions, and poisoning reports due to paracetamol exposure were predominant among adults, a scenario that is similar to what was observed in Sweden in 2000-2013 (Gedeborg et al, 2017), Germany in 2007-2018 (Daly et al, 2020), England in 2004(Casey et al, 2020, and Algeria in 2010-2017 (restricted to one hospital) (Chefirat et al, 2020).…”

“…Deaths, hospital admissions, and poisoning reports due to paracetamol exposure were predominant among adults, a scenario that is similar to what was observed in Sweden in 2000–2013 ( Gedeborg et al, 2017 ), Germany in 2007–2018 ( Daly et al, 2020 ), England in 2004–2014 ( Casey et al, 2020 ), and Algeria in 2010–2017 (restricted to one hospital) ( Chefirat et al, 2020 ).…”

Over‐the‐counter drug use in suicidal/self‐harm behavior: Scoping review

“…Twenty‐seven reports were identified in this scoping review, which included OTC medications and suicidal behavior. More than half (15) of the studies examined the use of medications for suicide and attempted suicide 14 , 15 , 16 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 29 , 30 , 34 , 37 , 38 , 39 followed by poisoning and deliberate self‐harm 28 , 33 , 36 Based on this review, analgesics and antihistamine overdoses are the most frequently used for suicide attempts and suicide, and it panned across all age groups. 15 , 35 , 38 , 39 The review found acetaminophen, acetylsalicylic acid, and diphenhydramine as the commonest analgesics and antihistamines used and more common among female adolescents.…”

Dažniausi Apsinuodijimai Vaikų Amžiuje

“…[14,15]. Šios amžiaus grupės mergaitės dažniau linkusios perdozuoti vaistus suicidiniais tikslais [7,16,17]. Šiam tikslui dažniausiai pasirenkamas paracetamolis [13].…”