Methemoglobinemia After Paracetamol Ingestion: A Case Report

Authors

  • Catarina Queirós Serviço de Dermatologia. Hospital de Santa Maria. Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Norte. Lisboa. Portugal. *Co first-author
  • Pedro Salvador Serviço de Medicina Interna. Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia-Espinho. Vila Nova de Gaia. Portugal. *Co first-author
  • Ana Ventura Serviço de Nefrologia. Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia-Espinho. Vila Nova de Gaia. Portugal.
  • Daniela Lopes Serviço de Nefrologia. Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia-Espinho. Vila Nova de Gaia. Portugal.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20344/amp.8722

Keywords:

Acetaminophen/adverse effects, Methemoglobinemia

Abstract

Methemoglobinemia is a potentially fatal condition, mainly acquired after intoxication by certain drugs. To this date, only three cases associated with paracetamol have been reported. This case report describes a patient with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis who was self-medicated with acetaminophen for seven days (at a daily dose of 3 g); the patient went to the hospital after noticing the appearance of a diffuse brownish skin tone, without other symptoms. Arterial blood analysis revealed an increase in methemoglobin levels, with biochemistry showing an increase in total bilirubin and alanine aminotransferase. Paracetamol was discontinued and on reassessment nine days after the onset of symptoms the patient had a clear improvement in her skin color, with normalization of methemoglobin levels.

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Published

2017-10-31

How to Cite

1.
Queirós C, Salvador P, Ventura A, Lopes D. Methemoglobinemia After Paracetamol Ingestion: A Case Report. Acta Med Port [Internet]. 2017 Oct. 31 [cited 2024 Dec. 13];30(10):753-6. Available from: https://www.actamedicaportuguesa.com/revista/index.php/amp/article/view/8722

Issue

Section

Case Report