Emerg Med J. 2002 Nov;19(6):594-5.

Fatal anaphylactoid reaction to N-acetylcysteine: caution in patients with asthma.

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Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth, UK. andy.bec@virgin.net

Abstract

Paracetamol overdose is a common reason for presentation to the emergency department and N-acetylcysteine is frequently used in the treatment of toxic paracetamol ingestions. Adverse reactions to N-acetylcysteine are common though usually mild and easily treated. Serious reactions to N-acetylcysteine however, are rare and there have been no previous reported fatalities with its therapeutic use. This report describes the case of a 40 year old brittle asthmatic patient who died after treatment with intravenous N-acetylcysteine. Asthma is a risk factor for adverse reactions to N-acetylcysteine and special caution should be exercised in its use in brittle asthmatic patients.

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PMCID: PMC1756296

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