PARACETAMOL = ACETAMINOPHEN injectable

Therapeutic action

• Analgesic, antipyretic

Indications

• Very high fever, only when oral administration is not possible
• Mild pain, only when oral administration is not possible

Forms and strengths, route of administration

• 500 mg (10 mg/ml, 50 ml) and 1 g (10 mg/ml, 100 ml) vials, for infusion

Dosage

• Neonate: 7.5 mg/kg (0.75 ml/kg) every 6 hours, to be administered over 15 minutes (max. 30 mg/kg daily)
• Child ≥ 1 month and < 10 kg: 10 mg/kg (1 ml/kg) every 6 hours, to be administered over 15 minutes (max. 30 mg/kg daily)
• Patient ≥ 10 kg and < 50 kg: 15 mg/kg (1.5 ml/kg) every 6 hours, to be administered over 15 minutes (max. 60 mg/kg daily)
• Patient ≥ 50 kg: 1 g (100 ml) every 6 hours, to be administered over 15 minutes (max. 4 g daily)

Duration

• According to clinical response.

Change to oral route as soon as possible.

Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions

• Do not administer to patients with severe hepatic impairment.
• Administer with caution to patients with moderate hepatic impairment, severe renal impairment, chronic alcoholism, malnutrition, dehydration.
• May cause (very rarely): malaise, hypotension and rash.
• Pregnancy: no contra-indication
• Breast-feeding: no contra-indication

Remarks

• As the efficacy of IV paracetamol is not superior to the efficacy of oral paracetamol, the IV route is restricted to situations where oral administration is not possible.
• For mild pain, IV paracetamol is used alone or in combination with an NSAID administered parenterally.
• For moderate pain, IV paracetamol is used in combination with an NSAID and tramadol administered parenterally.
• For severe pain, IV paracetamol is used in combination with an NSAID and morphine administered parenterally.
• Paracetamol has no anti-inflammatory properties.
• Do not mix with other drugs in the same infusion bottle.

Storage