Pathology

Test & Collection Guide

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Paracetamol (Overdose)

Alternate names:

Acetaminophen

Laboratory:

Biochemistry

Test Code:

PARA

Specimen types:

Serum

Container types:

Serum tube with gel

Collection Instructions:

Transport specimen at Room Temperature to lab

Specimens must be collected four (4) hours post-ingestion. Repeat assay four hours after initial sample if the original level is in the probable hepatotoxic range.

Minimum Adult Volume:

1 mL

Paediatric Minimum Volume:

0.5 mL

Notes:

Patients with potentially toxic concentrations are in danger of serious complications , especially liver damage, which may not become apparent for 2-4 days.

Frequency:

Daily

Result Turnaround Time:

4 hours

Reference Interval:

The table below indicates blood levels above which treatment should be considered.

A half-life of four hours is assumed.

Hours post-ingestion	Paracetamol (umol/L)	Hours post-ingestion	Paracetamol (umol/L)
4	660	16	82
6	467	18	58
8	330	20	41
10	233	22	29
12	165	24	21
14	117	26	15