Acetadote Dosage

Generic name: Acetylcysteine 200mg in 1mL
Dosage form: injection, solution
Drug class: Antidotes

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 27, 2023.

Pre-Treatment Assessment and Testing Following Acute Acetaminophen Ingestion

The following recommendations are related to acute acetaminophen ingestion. For recommendations related to repeated supratherapeutic exposure see Dosage and Administration (2.5).

Assess the history and timing of acetaminophen ingestion as an overdose.
- The reported history of the quantity of acetaminophen ingested as an overdose is often inaccurate and is not a reliable guide to therapy.
Obtain the following laboratory tests to monitor hepatic and renal function and electrolyte and fluid balance: aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), bilirubin, international normalized ratio (INR), creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), blood glucose, and electrolytes.
Obtain a plasma or serum sample to assay for acetaminophen concentration at least 4 hours after ingestion. Acetaminophen concentrations obtained earlier than 4 hours post-ingestion may be misleading as they may not represent maximum acetaminophen concentrations.
If the time of acute acetaminophen ingestion is unknown:
- Administer a loading dose of ACETADOTE immediately [see Dosage and Administration (2.4)].
- Obtain an acetaminophen concentration to determine need for continued treatment [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)].
If the acetaminophen concentration cannot be obtained (or is unavailable or uninterpretable) within the 8-hour time interval after acetaminophen ingestion or there is clinical evidence of acetaminophen toxicity:
- Administer a loading dose of ACETADOTE immediately and continue treatment for a total of three doses over 21 hours [see Dosage and Administration (2.4)].
If the patient presents more than 8 hours after ingestion and the time of acute acetaminophen ingestion is known:
- Administer a loading dose of ACETADOTE immediately [see Dosage and Administration (2.4)]
- Obtain an acetaminophen concentration to determine need for continued treatment [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)].
If the patient presents less than 8 hours after ingestion and the time of acute acetaminophen ingestion is known and the acetaminophen concentration is known:
- Use the Rumack-Matthew nomogram (Figure 1) to determine whether or not to initiate treatment with ACETADOTE [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)].

Nomogram for Estimating Potential for Hepatoxicity from Acute Acetaminophen Ingestion and Need for ACETADOTE Treatment

ACETADOTE is an antidote for acetaminophen overdose. The critical ingestion-treatment interval for maximal protection against severe hepatic injury is between 0 – 8 hours. Efficacy diminishes progressively after 8 hours and treatment initiation between 15 and 24 hours post-ingestion of acetaminophen yields limited efficacy. However, it does not appear to worsen the condition of patients and it should not be withheld, since the reported time of ingestion may not be correct.

If the timing of the acute acetaminophen ingestion is known and the results of the acetaminophen assay are available within 8 hours:

Refer to the Rumack-Matthew nomogram (see Figure 1) to determine whether or not to initiate treatment with ACETADOTE.
Initiation of ACETADOTE depends on the plasma or serum acetaminophen concentration and also the clinical presentation of the patient.

The nomogram may underestimate the hepatotoxicity risk in patients with chronic alcoholism, malnutrition, or CYP2E1 enzyme inducing drugs (e.g., isoniazid), and consideration should be given to treating these patients even if the acetaminophen concentrations are in the nontoxic range.

Loading dose

For patients whose acetaminophen concentrations are at or above the “possible” toxicity line (dotted line in nomogram):

Administer a loading dose of ACETADOTE [see Dosage and Administration (2.4)].

For patients with an acute overdose from an extended-release acetaminophen, if the acetaminophen concentration at 4 hours post ingestion is below the possible toxicity line then obtain a second sample for acetaminophen concentration 8 to 10 hours after the acute ingestion. If the second value is at or above the “possible” toxicity line (dotted line in nomogram):

Administer a loading dose of ACETADOTE [see Dosage and Administration (2.4)].

For patients whose values are below the “possible” toxicity line, but time of ingestion was unknown or sample was obtained less than 4 hours after ingestion:

Administer a loading dose of ACETADOTE [see Dosage and Administration (2.4)].

For patients whose values are below the “possible” toxicity line and time of ingestion is known and the sample was obtained more than 4 hours after ingestion, do not administer ACETADOTE because there is minimal risk of hepatotoxicity.

Figure 1. Rumack-Matthew Nomogram for Estimating Potential for Hepatoxicity for Acetaminophen Posioning – Plasma or Serum Acetaminophen Concentration versus Time (hours) Post-acetaminophen Ingestion

(Adapted from Rumack and Matthew, Pediatrics 1975; 55: 871-876)

Maintenance Dose

Determine need for continued treatment with ACETADOTE after the loading dose. Choose ONE of the following based on the acetaminophen concentration:

The acetaminophen concentration is above the possible toxicity line according to the nomogram (see Figure 1):

Continue ACETADOTE treatment with the maintenance dose for a total of three separate doses over an infusion period of 21 hours [see Dosage and Administration (2.4)].
Monitor hepatic and renal function and electrolytes throughout treatment.

The acetaminophen concentration could not be obtained:

Continue ACETADOTE treatment with the maintenance dose for a total of three separate doses over an infusion period of 21 hours [see Dosage and Administration (2.4)].
Monitor hepatic and renal function and electrolytes throughout treatment.

For patients whose acetaminophen concentration is below the “possible” toxicity line (see Figure 1) and time of ingestion is known and the sample was obtained more than 4 hours after ingestion:

Discontinue ACETADOTE.

The acetaminophen concentration was in the non-toxic range, but time of ingestion was unknown or less than 4 hours:

Obtain a second sample for acetaminophen concentration and consider the patient's clinical status to decide whether or not to continue ACETADOTE treatment.
If there is any uncertainty as to patient's risk of developing hepatotoxicity, it is recommended to administer a complete treatment course.

Continued Therapy After Completion of Loading and Maintenance Doses

In cases of suspected massive overdose, or with concomitant ingestion of other substances, or in patients with preexisting liver disease; the absorption and/or the half-life of acetaminophen may be prolonged. In such cases, consideration should be given to the need for continued treatment with ACETADOTE beyond a total of three separate doses over a 21-hour infusion period.

Acetaminophen levels and ALT/AST and INR should be checked after the last maintenance dose. If acetaminophen levels are still detectable, or if the ALT/AST are still increasing or the INR remains elevated; dosing should be continued and the treating physician should contact a US regional poison center at 1-800-222-1222, alternatively, a “special health professional assistance line for acetaminophen overdose” at 1-800-525-6115 for assistance with dosing recommendations, or 1-877-484-2700 for additional information.

Preparation and Storage of ACETADOTE Diluted Solution Prior to Administration

Because ACETADOTE is hyperosmolar (2600 mOsmol/L), ACETADOTE must be diluted in sterile water for injection, 0.45% sodium chloride injection (1/2 normal saline), or 5% dextrose in water prior to intravenous administration [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)]. Dilution in these three solutions results in different osmolarity of the solution for intravenous administration (see Table 1 for examples of different osmolarity of the solution depending on the type of solution and the ACETADOTE concentration).

Visually inspect for particular matter and discoloration prior to administration. The color of the diluted solution ranges from colorless to a slight pink or purple once the stopper is punctured (the color change does not affect the quality of the product). The diluted solution can be stored for 24 hours at room temperature. Discard unused portion. If a vial was previously opened, do not use for intravenous administration.

Table 1. Examples of ACETADOTE Concentration and Osmolarity in Three Solutions
* Adjust osmolarity to a physiologically safe level (generally not less than 150 mOsmol/L in pediatric patients).
ACETADOTE Concentration	Osmolarity
ACETADOTE Concentration	Sterile Water for Injection	½ Normal Saline	D5W
7 mg/mL	91 mOsmol/L*	245 mOsmol/L	343 mOsmol/L
24 mg/mL	312 mOsmol/L	466 mOsmol/L	564 mOsmol/L

Recommended Dosage in Adults and Pediatrics for Acute Acetaminophen Ingestion

ACETADOTE is for intravenous administration only.

Dosage Regimen

The total recommended dosage of ACETADOTE is 300 mg/kg given intravenously as 3 separate, sequential doses (i.e., 3-bag method to administer the loading, second, and third doses). The total recommended infusion time for 3 doses is 21 hours. For the recommended weight-based dosage and weight-based dilution in patients who weigh:

5 to 20 kg (see Table 2)
21 to 40 kg (see Table 3)
41 kg or greater (see Table 4)

Table 2. Recommended ACETADOTE Dosage and Dilution for Patients 5 kg to 20 kg
* Dilute ACETADOTE in one of the following three solutions: sterile water for injection, 0.45% sodium chloride injection, or 5% dextrose in water.
** Recommended dosing for those less than 5 kg has not been studied.
Body Weight	Bag 1 (Loading Dose) 150 mg/kg in 3 mL/kg of diluent* infused over 1 hour		Bag 2 (Second Dose) 50 mg/kg in 7 mL/kg of diluent* infused over 4 hours		Bag 3 (Third Dose) 100 mg/kg diluted in 14 mL/kg of diluent* infused over 16 hours
Body Weight	Loading Dose	Diluent Volume	Second Dose	Diluent Volume	Third Dose	Diluent Volume
5 kg**	750 mg	15 mL	250 mg	35 mL	500 mg	70 mL
10 kg	1,500 mg	30 mL	500 mg	70 mL	1,000 mg	140mL
15 kg	2,250 mg	45 mL	750 mg	105 mL	1,500 mg	210 mL
20 kg	3,000 mg	60 mL	1,000mg	140 mL	2,000 mg	280 mL

Table 3. Recommended ACETADOTE Dosage and Dilution for Patients 21 kg to 40 kg
* Dilute ACETADOTE in one of the following three solutions: sterile water for injection, 0.45% sodium chloride injection, or 5% dextrose in water.
Body Weight	Bag 1 (Loading Dose) 150 mg/kg in 100 mL of diluent* infused over 1 hour	Bag 2 (Second Dose) 50 mg/kg in 250 mL of diluent* infused over 4 hours	Bag 3 (Third Dose) 100 mg/kg in 500 mL of diluent* infused over 16 hours
21 kg	3,150 mg	1,050 mg	2,100 mg
30 kg	4,500 mg	1,500 mg	3,000 mg
40 kg	6,000 mg	2,000 mg	4,000 mg

Table 4. Recommended ACETADOTE Dosage and Dilution for Patients 41 kg or Greater
* Dilute ACETADOTE in one of the following three solutions: sterile water for injection, 0.45% sodium chloride injection, or 5% dextrose in water.
** No specific studies have been conducted to evaluate the necessity of dose adjustments in patients weighing over 100 kg. Limited information is available regarding the dosing requirements of patients that weigh more than 100 kg.
Body Weight	Bag 1 (Loading Dose) 150 mg/kg in 200 mL of diluent1 infused over 1 hour	Bag 2 (Second Dose) 50 mg/kg in 500 mL of diluent1 infused over 4 hours	Bag 3 (Third Dose) 100 mg/kg in 1000 mL of diluent1 infused over 16 hours
41 kg	6,150 mg	2,050 mg	4,100 mg
50 kg	7,500 mg	2,500 mg	5,000 mg
60 kg	9,000 mg	3,000 mg	6,000 mg
70 kg	10,500 mg	3,500 mg	7,000 mg
80 kg	12,000 mg	4,000 mg	8,000 mg
90 kg	13,500 mg	4,500 mg	9,000 mg
≥ 100 kg**	15,000 mg	5,000 mg	10,000 mg

Recommendations for Repeated Supratherapeutic Acetaminophen Ingestion

Repeated supratherapeutic acetaminophen ingestion (RSI) is an ingestion of acetaminophen at dosages higher than those recommended for extended periods of time. The risk of hepatotoxicity and the recommendations for treatment of acute acetaminophen ingestion (i.e., the Rumack-Matthew nomogram) do not apply to patients with RSI. Therefore, obtain the following information to guide ACETADOTE treatment for RSI:

Acetaminophen serum or plasma concentrations. A reported history of the quantity of acetaminophen ingested is often inaccurate and is not a reliable guide to therapy.
Laboratory tests to monitor hepatic and renal function and electrolyte and fluid balance: AST, ALT, bilirubin, INR, creatinine, BUN, blood glucose, and electrolytes.

For specific ACETADOTE dosage and administration information in patients with RSI, consider contacting your regional poison center at 1-800-222-1222, or alternatively, a special health professional assistance line for acetaminophen overdose at 1-800-525-6115.