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Medicines (Reducing harm)
New dosing guidelines for the treatment of paracetamol overdose and toxicity
30 January 2019
The National Poisons Centre has issued new dosing guidance for acetylcysteine for the treatment of paracetamol overdose and toxicity.
A 2-bag dosing regimen is now recommended:
| Dose acetylcysteine: | |
| 1. First bag | 200mg/kg IV over 4 hours |
| 2. Second bag | 100mg/kg IV over 16 hours |
Current evidence suggests a modified two-bag dosing regimen is associated with a reduction in adverse effects associated with acetylcysteine administration. As the new dosing recommendations are simpler than the traditional ones, there is a reduced risk of administration errors.
Download the treatment guidelines below.