Paracetamol
Code:
PARA
Sample Type:
Serum (Gold Top)
Minimum volume: 1 mL
Ref Ranges/Units:
Therapeutic range 10 – 30 mg/L
Results >30 mg/L will be phoned to the requesting clinician.
Turnaround:
Same Day (60 minutes from receipt for Urgent Samples).
Stability:
48 hours capped at 2‑8°C
4 weeks capped at -20°C
Special Precautions/Comments:
Must be >4 hours post dose
Please note that paracetamol, its metabolites, and treatment for overdose (N-acetyl cysteine) can all cause negative interference in the creatinine method. Please take a sample for creatinine before NAC treatment commences. For patients with high paracetamol levels or when creatinine is suspiciously low, please contact the lab to arrange for analysis by an alternative method.
Additional Information:
Acetaminophen, more commonly known as paracetamol, is widely used for mild-to-moderate pain relief (analgesic) and to treat fever (antipyretic). However, chronic excess use can lead to nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity. Paracetamol overdose can lead to severe hepatotoxicity and injury if untreated. Rapid diagnosis and treatment (within 16 hours) can reduce this potential for hepatic injury and mortality.
South of Tyne & Wear Pathology Centre
