Comparison of two assays for measuring plasma concentrations of paracetamol

摘要

An overdose of paracetamol can cause fatal hepatic necrosis, but acetylcysteine is an effective antidote if given early. An estimation of plasma concentrations of paracetamol is required if a patient is suspected of having taken a toxic dose. We compared the AcetaSite test card and Stat-Site reflectance meter (GDS Diagnostics, Elkhart, IN), a bedside method of determining paracetamol concentrations that takes 2 minutes, with the Quantase assay (Porton Products, Maidenhead), an established laboratory method.