Thursday March 29, 2007
Acetadote (IV mucomyst)

As we are seeing higher use of IV Mucomyst (Acedadote) for acetaminophen (Tylenol) overdose, it is not a bad idea to keep IV benadryl and steroid at bedside as flushing, urticaria and angioedema are frequent side effects. Also caution is advised in patients with asthma and bronchospasm.

Commercially available version (Acetadote) changes color from colorless to light pink / purplish once the stopper is punctured. This is a benign and expected effect and doesn't require any intervention. Acetadote can be prepared generically by hospital pharmacy, if commercial version is not available, and this color change may not be always apparent.


Related video/lecture: Acute Liver Failure: The Critical Team Approach (Dr. Lorenzo Rossaro, Head of the Liver Transplant Program at UC Davis Med Center (this video requires real player)

Related previous pearl: 4 Phases of Acetaminophen Toxicity And (r) Rumack-Matthew Nomogram.