The Annals of pharmacotherapy
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Objective: Recent literature suggests that intravenous (IV) administration may cause hypotension in hospitalized patients; data further suggest that this effect is most pronounced in the critically ill. The purpose of this review is to identify and evaluate current literature that addresses the incidence and implications of IV acetaminophen-induced hypotension. Data Sources: A literature search of MEDLINE, Cochrane, and EMBASE databases was performed (2002-2019) using the following terms: acetaminophen, paracetamol, intravenous, and hypotension. ⋯ The findings raise the question of whether IV acetaminophen is an appropriate choice for inpatient pain or temperature management in the critically ill. Conclusions: Available evidence indicates that the administration of IV acetaminophen may be harmful in the critically ill. Additional monitoring is likely required when using IV acetaminophen in this specific population, particularly if a patient is hemodynamically unstable prior to administration.