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Pharmacokinetics of oral diclofenac and acetaminophen in children after surgery
Author(s) -
Rømsing Janne,
Østergaard Doris,
Senderovitz Thomas,
Drozdziewicz Dominika,
Sonne Jesper,
Ravn Grete
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
pediatric anesthesia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.704
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1460-9592
pISSN - 1155-5645
DOI - 10.1046/j.1460-9592.2001.00660.x
Subject(s) - medicine , acetaminophen , diclofenac , antipyretic , cmax , pharmacokinetics , analgesic , anesthesia , tonsillectomy , morning , oral administration , pharmacology
Background : Our aim was to study the pharmacokinetics and pain scores following administration of single oral doses of either diclofenac or high‐dose acetaminophen (paracetamol). Methods : In the morning, the day after tonsillectomy, children 5–15 years of age were randomized in a double‐blind manner to receive either diclofenac 1–2 mg·kg −1 ( n =11) or acetaminophen 22.5 mg·kg −1 ( n =10). Postoperative pain was assessed by self‐report and blood samples were drawn every 30 min for 4 h after medication. Results : Large interindividual differences in maximum plasma diclofenac concentrations ( C max ) were found. Mean C max was 2.4±1.3 μg·ml −1 and mean t max was 2±0.5 h. No significant reduction in pain score with diclofenac was seen at any of the assessments during the study period. Eight of 10 children achieved C max of acetaminophen within the 10–20 μg·ml −1 antipyretic range. Mean t abs was 0.7±0.3 h and mean C max and t max were 12.7±3.8 μg ml −1 and 1.4±0.5 h, respectively. No significant reduction in pain score with acetaminophen was seen at any of the assessments during the study period. Conclusions : The achieved concentrations of diclofenac and acetaminophen were not able to significantly reduce the children’s pain score during the 5 h postingestion study period. Analgesic plasma acetaminophen concentrations may be higher than those required for antipyresis.