Delayed presentation of paracetamol overdose

Deliberate self-harm, including intentional self-poisoning, remains a major health concern in South Africa. Increasing number of cases place a significant burden on our Emergency Centres (EC's). Paracetamol remains the most frequent drug ingested in intentional self-poisoning. As an antidote, N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is very effective in the management of acute cases of paracetamol overdose. However, it shows less efficacy in cases of delayed presentation, where both liver transplant and mortality rates are significantly higher. Case report We present a case of delayed presentation paracetamol overdose. The patient presented in fulminant hepatic failure with encephalopathy, but made a full recovery after being treated with NAC. Discussion This case report highlighted NAC's potential effectiveness in delayed presentations of paracetamol overdose, irrespective of associated fulminant hepatic failure. The effectiveness of NAC in delayed presentations of paracetamol overdose should therefore not be underestimated, and warrants further research.