Authors' objectives: What is the clinical effectiveness of IV acetaminophen use for patients experiencing moderate to severe pain in the ED setting? What is the cost-effectiveness of IV acetaminophen use for patients experiencing moderate to severe pain in the ED setting? What are the evidence-based guidelines regarding IV acetaminophen use for patients experiencing moderate to severe pain in the ED setting?

Authors' results and conclusions: For adults with moderate to severe pain in the emergency department (ED), IV acetaminophen may offer similar levels of pain relief and a similar risk of adverse events as oral acetaminophen or IV nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). For adults with moderate to severe pain in the ED, IV acetaminophen may offer a similar or modestly lower level of pain relief, and a lower risk of adverse events, when compared to IV opioids. We did not find any studies on the cost-effectiveness of IV acetaminophen compared to oral acetaminophen, IV NSAIDs, or IV opioids for treating patients with moderate to severe pain in the ED that met our inclusion criteria. One guideline recommends IV NSAIDs for the initial management of moderate to severe pain for patients in the ED. IV acetaminophen is recommended instead of IV opioids alone.

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: https://www.cadth.ca/iv-acetaminophen-acute-pain-emergency-departments

Year Published: 2023

URL for published report: https://www.cadth.ca/iv-acetaminophen-acute-pain-emergency-departments

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Rapid Review

Country: Canada

Organisation Name: Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health

Contact Address: 600-865 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1S 5S8 Canada. Tel: +1 613 226 2553; Fax: +1 613 226 5392;

Contact Name: requests@cadth.ca

Contact Email: requests@cadth.ca

Copyright: <p>Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH)</p>