Drug Toxicities of Common Analgesic Medications in the Emergency Department

Clin Lab Med. 2016 Dec;36(4):761-776. doi: 10.1016/j.cll.2016.07.003.

Abstract

About 75% of patients present to the emergency department with a complaint of pain. There are multiple prescribed and over-the-counter medications that are available for the treatment of pain. Acetaminophen, opioids, and aspirin are commonly used agents that are available as single agents or in combination with other medications. However, all of these agents are susceptible to toxic overdose, which requires prompt recognition through clinical and laboratory assessment modalities and initiation of therapy to reduce the risk of morbidity and mortality.

Keywords: Acetaminophen; Aspirin; Emergency department; Narcotic; Opioid; Salicylate; Toxicity.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acetaminophen / blood
  • Acetaminophen / poisoning*
  • Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / blood
  • Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / poisoning*
  • Analgesics, Opioid / poisoning*
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / poisoning*
  • Aspirin / poisoning*
  • Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / diagnosis
  • Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / therapy
  • Emergency Service, Hospital*
  • Humans

Substances

  • Analgesics, Non-Narcotic
  • Analgesics, Opioid
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Acetaminophen
  • Aspirin