Intravenous Acetaminophen to Reduce Post-operative Opioid Consumption

Launched by CENTRE HOSPITALIER DE L'UNIVERSITÉ DE MONTRÉAL (CHUM) · Apr 4, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying the use of intravenous (IV) acetaminophen, a common pain reliever, to see if it can help reduce the need for stronger pain medications called opioids after abdominal surgery. While acetaminophen is often given in tablet or suppository form, this trial will focus on the IV version, which is helpful for patients who can't take medications by mouth right after their surgery. The goal is to find out if using IV acetaminophen can manage pain effectively while lowering the amount of opioids needed, which can have side effects like nausea and dizziness.

To participate in this trial, you must be at least 18 years old, have undergone elective abdominal surgery, and be hospitalized in specific units at CHUM. It's important to note that participants cannot be pregnant, breastfeeding, or have certain medical conditions that may affect how they process acetaminophen. If you join the study, you'll receive IV acetaminophen for pain relief, and the researchers will monitor how well it works and how it compares to other pain management methods. This research aims to provide clear information about the benefits of IV acetaminophen in managing pain after surgery.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Age 18 years or older.
• • Underwent abdominal surgery
• • Underwent elective surgery.
• • Hospitalized in the digestive surgery, hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery, or gynecology and gynecologic oncology units at CHUM.
• • Declared NPO immediately post-surgery, meaning they cannot take oral medications.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Hypersensitivity to acetaminophen or an excipient in the administered formulations
• • Hepatic insufficiency with a Child-Turcotte-Pugh score of B or C.
• • Weight \< 50 kg (patients requiring a lower acetaminophen dose).
• • Active pregnancy or breastfeeding.
• • Opioid use disorder (OUD) under active treatment
• • Non-opioid-naïve patients: those who received a long-acting opioid within seven days preceding surgery. This criterion will be verified through patient interviews and cross-checked with medical records.
• • Use of illicit recreational substances.
• • Prior participation in this study.
• • Ectopic patients: physically located in a unit other than digestive surgery (11 South), hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery (14 South), or gynecology and gynecologic oncology (12 South).