Glutathione conjugates acetaminophen detoxification

Acetylcysteine is also used to attenuate hepatic injury from overdosing (10 to 15 g) with acetaminophen. By maintaining the hepatic level of glutathione, acetylcysteine protects the liver by acting as an alternate substrate for conjugation and hence detoxification of the reactive metabolite of acetaminophen. It is given in a dose of 140 mg/kg orally as a loading dose and then 70 mg/kg orally every four hours until acetaminophen s level becomes nontoxic. 

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