Tylenol Toxicity treatment

[binkylen]

I am a new GI nurse practitioner.  I was wondering, I know that Mucomyst is the treatment for Tylenol overdose, but is giving activated charcoal contraindicated?  Or is it just ineffective?

[John W.]

As far as I know, activated charcoal is not contraindicated in acute acetaminophen toxicity.  In fact, it is still listed as an indication in the packaging. I think that it is probably better to use the Mucomyst because it specifically targets the problem, whereas the charcoal is like a catch-all.  One word of advice: never administer the two concomitantly--charcoal may bind the active ingredient (I think it's "cysteine" or something like that).  

John W. (R.Ph)