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SUMMARY REVIEW
GENERIC NAME: ACETAMINOPHEN INTRAVENOUS
PROPRIETARY NAME: Acetavance (Cadence)
INDICATIONS: A new drug application (NDA) for intravenous (IV) acetaminophen has
been submitted to the Food and Drug Administration. The requested indication is
the treatment of acute pain and fever in adults and children.1,2
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY: Acetaminophen exerts analgesic and antipyretic effects
following systemic administration. The mechanism for these pharmacologic effects
has not been established, but does involve both central and peripheral
actions.3,4 An injectable formulation has not been available because of the
drug's poor stability in aqueous solutions and inadequate solubility.1 An
injectable prodrug of acetaminophen, propacetamol, was developed as a means to
overcome these limitations, but it was poorly tolerated.5
PHARMACOKINETICS: Following IV administration, peak concentration is observed at
the end of the infusion.6 The mean peak plasma concentration is 29.9 mcg/mL
after the infusion of 1 g.5 Higher peak concentrations and overall exposure were
observed with IV administration of a 1 g dose compared with a 1 g dose
administered as a rectal suppository or oral tablets.5,7 Its mean volume of
distribution reported in several studies has ranged from 69.2 to 85 L.
Acetaminophen is not extensively plasma protein bound.5 The mean elimination
half-life is 2.7 hours in adults, 1.5 to 2 hours in children, and 3.5 hours in
neonates.4,5 Acetaminophen is metabolized in the liver by glucuronidation and
sulfation. At higher doses, it is metabolized by CYP2E1 to form the toxic
metabolite N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone (NAP-QI). NAP-QI rapidly forms conjugates
with glutathione to generate nontoxic thiol metabolites. If glutathione stores
are depleted, the toxic NAP-QI metabolite may accumulate and result in
hepatotoxicity.5 Less than 5% of the dose is excreted unchanged in the urine.5
In patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance, 10 to 30
mL/min), the half-life is increased to 2 to 5.3 hours.5
ADVERSE REACTIONS: Acetaminophen has been very well tolerated when administered
as a 15-minute IV infusion. The adverse event profile has been very similar to
placebo.5 In a pooled analysis of clinical trials, hepatotoxicity has not been
associated with the use of IV acetaminophen at recommended doses. Transaminase
enzyme levels were elevated in 3.1% of acetaminophen recipients and 6.3% of
placebo recipients.5
DRUG INTERACTIONS: The potential drug interactions with IV acetaminophen should
be the same as the oral and rectal formulations (eg, lamotrigine, probenecid,
warfarin). Additive risk of hepatotoxicity may also be observed with concomitant
therapy with other hepatotoxic medications.3
DOSING: The recommended dose of IV acetaminophen is 1 g in adults weighing more
than 50 kg (maximum, 4 g/day), 15 mg/kg in adolescents and adults weighing less
than 50 kg and children weighing more than 33 kg (maximum, 3 g/day), 15 mg/kg in
children weighing at least 10 kg and less than 33 kg (maximum, 2 g/day), and 7.5
mg/kg for full-term newborn infants, infants, toddlers, and children weighing
less than 10 kg (maximum, 30 mg/kg/day). Acetaminophen injection is administered
as a 15-minute infusion. The minimum duration between doses is 4 to 6 hours.4,5
The minimum interval between doses should be increased to 6 hours in patients
with severe renal impairment.5 Dosage adjustments have not been recommended for
elderly patients or patients with liver disease.5
PRODUCT AVAILABILITY and STORAGE: Acetaminophen has been available in the United
States since 1955. IV acetaminophen (Perfalgan, Bristol-Myers Squibb) has been
marketed in Europe since 2002, and approximately 90 million vials of IV
acetaminophen were sold in Europe in 2008. The Perfalgan formulation is
available as a 10 mg/mL solution supplied as single-use 50 mL vials containing
acetaminophen 500 mg and 100 mL vials containing acetaminophen 1 g. IV
acetaminophen is available in approximately 80 countries. Cadence
Pharmaceuticals in-licensed rights to the Bristol-Myers Squibb product in the
United States and Canada, and submitted an NDA in the United States in May
2009.1,2,4
CONCLUSION: IV acetaminophen offers an alternative route of administration for
this common medication when oral or rectal administration is not appropriate.
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http://www.cadencepharm.com/products/apap.html. Accessed May 27, 2009.

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Facts and Comparisons 4.0. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Health Inc; 2009.
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Perfalgan data sheet. New Zealand Medicines and Medical Devices Safety
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