Acetylcysteine is the mainstay of treatment in paracetamol poisoning. When paracetamol is taken in large quantities, a toxic metabolite accumulates within the body, which is conjugated by glutathione. When taken in excess, the body's glutathione reserves are not sufficient to deactivate the toxic metabolite, leading to damage to liver cells. Acetylcysteine acts to maintain or replenish depleted glutathione reserves in the liver.

Flumazenil is a benzodiazepine antagonist, naloxone is an opiate antagonist with a rapid onset of action. Deferoxamine is an iron-chelating agent used to treat iron overload caused by blood transfusions.