Title: Anaphylatoid reaction to IV N-acetylcysteine<br/>Author: Hong Kim<br/><a href='http://umem.org/profiles/faculty/526/'>[Click to email author]</a><hr/><p> Analphylatoid reaction is caused by non-IgE mediated histamine released. Intravenous N-acetylcysteine (NAC) infusion is well known to cause analphylatoid reaction. However, it’s incidence is unknown.</p> <p> Recently, a large retrospective study of all patients who received 21-hour IV NAC in 34 Canadian hospitals (1980 to 2005) was performed. </p> <p> Anaphylactoid reaction was documented in 528 (8.2%) of 6455 treatment courses</p> <ul> <li> Cutaneous reaction (urticarial, pruritus and angioedema) occurred in 398 (75.4%)</li> <li> Systemic reaction (respiratory symptoms or hypotension): 34 (6.4%)</li> <li> Both reactions: 96 (18.2%)</li> </ul> <p> Over 90% patients developed analphylatoid reaction within 5 hours.</p> <p style="margin-left: 40px;"> Onset of reaction: </p> <ul> <li style="margin-left: 40px;"> 1<sup>st</sup>NAC dosing (150 mg/kg over 1 hour): 133/528</li> <li style="margin-left: 40px;"> 2<sup>nd</sup>NAC dosing (50 mg/kg over 4 hours): 371/528</li> <li style="margin-left: 40px;"> 3<sup>rd</sup>NAC dosing (100 mg/kg over 16 hours): 24/528</li> </ul> <p> Administered medication for treatment</p> <ul> <li> Antihistamine: 371</li> <li> Beta-2 agonist: 15</li> <li> Epinephrine: 10</li> <li> Corticosteroids: 7</li> </ul> <p> Patient characteristics that were associated with higher incidence of Anaphylactoid reaction includes</p> <ul> <li> Female</li> <li> Single acute ingestion</li> <li> Low serum acetaminophen level.</li> </ul> <p> </p> <p> Bottom line</p> <ol> <li> Anaphylactoid reaction to NAC is uncommon</li> <li> Cutaneous symptoms are most common</li> <li> Female, single acute ingestion and low serum acetaminophen levels are associated with incidence of anaphylactoid reaction. </li> </ol> <fieldset><legend>References</legend>
<p> Yarema M et al. Anaphylactoid reactions to intravenous N-acetylcysteine during treatment for acetaminophen poisoning. J Med Toxicol 2018: <span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 11.004500389099121px;">Jun;14(2):120-127. doi: 10.1007/s13181-018-0653-9. Epub 2018 Feb 8.</span></p> </fieldset>