PURPOSE The efficacy, safety, and cost issues that should be considered when deciding on the appropriate route of acetylcysteine for the treatment of patients with acetaminophen poisoning are reviewed. SUMMARY Oral and i.v. acetylcysteine appear to be equally effective when given within 8-10 hours of acetaminophen overdose. Anaphylactoid reactions to i.v. acetylcysteine have generally been re...

The term “anaphylaxis” is composed by “a na”, meaning “not or contrary to” and “phylaxis”, meaning “protection”. Thus repeated exposure to a toxin may cause harm instead of prophylaxis or immunization. An anaphylactic reaction or anaphylaxis is an immediate type hypersensitivity reaction to a substance or drug, causing acute life-threatening symptoms in two or more organ systems. Immunoglobulin...

BACKGROUND Anaphylactoid reactions to iodinated contrast media are relatively common and potentially life threatening. Opinion is divided as to the utility of medications for preventing these reactions. We performed a systematic review to assess regimes for the prevention of anaphylactoid reactions to iodinated contrast media. METHODS Searches for studies were conducted in the Medline, EMBASE...