Clinical pharmacology and therapeutics
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Clin. Pharmacol. Ther. · Jul 2001
Analgesic efficacy of rectal versus oral acetaminophen in children after major craniofacial surgery.
Analgesic acetaminophen (INN, paracetamol) plasma concentrations after major surgery in neonates and infants have not yet been established in the literature. We therefore conducted a study in our intensive care unit. ⋯ These are the first data showing that the analgesic acetaminophen plasma concentration after major surgery in this age group does not always reach the 10 to 20 mg/L level. These data also show that, after a rectal loading dose of 40 mg/kg has been given during surgery, the best way of administering acetaminophen after craniofacial surgery is the rectal route.