Intravenous Acetaminophen

AbstractPurpose of ReviewAcetaminophen (paracetamol, APAP) is the most commonly prescribed analgesic for the treatment of acute pain. It is also the most commonly prescribed analgesic and antipyretic for children. There has been extensive clinical use of acetaminophen in nonparenteral forms (e.g., oral or rectal) for over six decades and over 20  years of clinical experience outside the USA with the intravenous (IV) use of acetaminophen.Recent FindingsIn the USA, IV acetaminophen was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in November 2010. Studies indicate that IV acetaminophen is as effective for acute pain relief as IV opioids while avoiding the side effects of opioids including nausea, vomiting, somnolence, and respiratory depression.SummaryThe main advantage of IV acetaminophen over the oral route of administration is that it can be used in patients who cannot take oral medications (e.g., those who are nauseous or vomiting, those who are NPO for surgery or procedures) and those who have gastrointestinal disorders, ranging from ileus, short gut syndrome, celiac disease, and other malabsorption disorders. Another benefit is that IV acetaminophen can be used as an alternative to IV opioids for analgesia in individuals in whom there is a need to avoid opioids for reasons including concerns for addiction. Other advantages of IV acetaminophen over the oral route of administration of acetaminophen include faster onset due to attainment of peak concentrations more quickly ...
Source: Current Emergency and Hospital Medicine Reports - Category: Emergency Medicine Source Type: research