Details
Presentation:
500 mg tablets
120mg in 5 mL oral liquid (24 mg/mL)
1000 mg/100 mL IV infusion (AAV only)
The IV solution should be clear, but the solution may range from colourless to slightly yellow, brown, pink or orange (depending on the brand).
Route:
Oral, IV infusion (AAV only)
Onset of action:
30 minutes (oral)
5 – 10 minutes (IV)
Duration:
4 hours
Mode of action
Analgesic and antipyretic – exact mechanism of action is unclear; thought to inhibit prostaglandin synthesis in the CNS
- Mild pain, or pain relief in combination with other analgesics
- Headache
- Children < 1 month of age
- Hepatotoxicity can occur with overdose.
Do not administer if paracetamol has already been given within past 4 hours, or if total paracetamol intake within past 24 hours exceeds 4g (adults) or 60 mg/kg (children)
- Risk of hepatotoxicity is increased in the following circumstances:
- Impaired hepatic function or liver disease
- Elderly / frail patients
- Malnourishment
- Hypersensitivity reactions including severe skin rashes (rare)
- Haematological reactions (rare)
- Hypotension has been reported with IV infusion, particularly in critically ill patients
Significant interactions
- Nil
Pregnancy
- Safe to use
- Safe to use
Notes
- There are several brands of Paracetamol available, and it is also found in many combination medicines, both prescription and over-the-counter. Carefully determine previous Paracetamol intake prior to dose administration.
- The usual dose of Paracetamol for children is 15 mg/kg per dose. The maximum total dose of 60 mg/kg equates to four doses within a 24 hour period.
- Paracetamol is not indicated for the treatment of fever in the emergency setting.
- There does not appear to be a clinically significant difference in efficacy between IV and oral paracetamol. IV paracetamol should be limited to clinical circumstances where the oral route is not appropriate.
Infusion
- Adults – infuse undiluted over 15 minutes
- Paediatrics – draw up required dose in a syringe and administer over 15 minutes. Do not hang the entire bag to prevent risk of overdose