What is the evidence to support the use of IV paracetamol for the short-term treatment of moderate to severe pain?

Source: South West Medicines Information and Training Area: Evidence > Medicines Q & A Intravenous (IV) paracetamol is licensed for the short-term treatment of moderate pain, especially following surgery, and for the short-term treatment of fever, when administration by the IV route is clinically justified by an urgent need to treat pain or hyperthermia and/or when other routes of administration are not possible. The main advantages of IV paracetamol are: when GI motility is reduced in the immediate post -operative period or when rapid establishment of analgesia is required. Studies have shown a reduction in morphine/opioid requirements; however sedation and post-operative nausea and vomiting are not reduced. IV paracetamol has been shown to achieve therapeutic plasma concentrations well above the therapeutic range within 40 minutes of administration, whereas early plasma concentrations following oral administration of paracetamol may vary, and in some cases may remain subtherapeutic, unless a loading dose has been given. Absorption of paracetamol following ...
Source: NeLM - Medicines Q and A - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: news