Clinical features and management of analgesic poisoning

Analgesic poisoning is a common medical emergency, and these drugs account for about 30% of self-poisoning in adults. Aspirin and paracetamol are taken most often, and can cause significant morbidity and mortality. However, problems with the hepatotoxicity of paracetamol have been greatly reduced by the introduction of effective treatment with agents such as N-acetylcysteine. The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory analgesics are not commonly taken in overdosage but the incidence of self-poisoning with mefenamic acid is increasing at an alarming rate. With the exception of phenylbutazone and mefenamic acid these drugs rarely seem to cause serious toxicity. The narcotic analgesics can cause profound respiratory depression and are the most dangerous drugs in overdosage.