Absorption kinetics of paracetamol are not influenced by high anxiety levels in preoperative patients.
OBJECTIVE
If the absorption kinetics of orally administered drugs in preoperative patients are influenced by high anxiety levels as maintained by Simpson and Stakes [1987], then this aspect would have to be taken into consideration in the preparation for surgery and would make dose adjustments necessary in such patients.


METHODS
We differentiated and quantified the anxiety level in 40 patients, 4 - 5 hours prior to an operation, using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Subsequently, all patients were given 1000 mg of paracetamol and serum levels were analyzed by means of HPLC.


RESULTS
Over the first 3 hours after application there were no significant differences in the parameters C(max) and t(max) between patients with high levels of anxiety and patients with low levels of anxiety. However, AUC (area under curve) values were slightly higher in patients with high levels of anxiety.


CONCLUSIONS
No clinically relevant differences in absorption parameters were observed in patients with high and low levels of anxiety.
D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019540:Area Under Curve; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011300:Preoperative Care
D000082:Acetaminophen