Plasma concentration profiles after pre-operative rectal administration of a solution of paracetamol in children

An exploratory study in paediatric surgical patients was performed to describe the behaviour of a rectal solution of paracetamol at 20 mg/kg. Four of six patients were able to complete the study. Peak concentration (Cmax) and time to peak concentration (tmax) found in the children are comparable to adults studied earlier. After 1.6 hrs (tmax) a peak concentration of 11.7 mg/l (Cmax) was reached. The area under the curve (AUC t = 6) and the mean residence time (MRT) were respectively 48.3 mghr/l and 5.2 hrs. The solution appears promising for further study in daily clinical practise.