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Safety of rapid intravenous paracetamol infusion in paediatric patients

Astrid Eliasen1,2,3, Sigrid Otnes2, Merete Matz2

  • 1Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg University Hospital, Bispebjerg Bakke 23, indgang 20C, 2. sal, 2400, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Current Research in Pharmacology and Drug Discovery
|January 10, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Intravenous paracetamol can be safely administered to paediatric patients in 5 minutes or less. This shorter infusion time for IV paracetamol did not cause adverse reactions and reduced pain scores.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric pharmacology
  • Clinical pharmacy
  • Pain management

Background:

  • Paracetamol is a first-line treatment for pediatric pain and fever.
  • Current recommendations advise a 15-minute infusion for intravenous (IV) paracetamol to minimize trauma.
  • Shorter infusion times may improve workflow efficiency in pediatric departments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the safety of administering IV paracetamol in 5 minutes or less in pediatric patients.
  • To determine if shorter infusion times are associated with adverse reactions.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective, observational safety study involving pediatric patients (<18 years).
  • Pain scores were assessed using validated scales (VAS, FLACC, COMFORT neo, COMFORT behavior) before and after IV paracetamol infusion.
  • Objective signs of inflammation at the infusion site were monitored.

Main Results:

  • 44 pediatric patients received 93 IV paracetamol infusions with a median infusion time of 3 minutes (range: 0:40 to 5:00 min).
  • Pain scores significantly decreased after infusions compared to before (mean change -0.26, P=0.007).
  • No objective signs of inflammation at the infusion site were reported.

Conclusions:

  • Administering IV paracetamol in pediatric patients in 5 minutes or less is safe and does not cause adverse reactions.
  • Shorter infusion times for IV paracetamol are feasible and well-tolerated in pediatric populations.
  • This practice can potentially streamline clinical workflows in pediatric healthcare settings.
Abstract

Keywords:
AcetaminophenAdolescentsChildrenNeonatesPaediatricsParacetamol

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