title: Pharmacokinetics of a loading dose of intravenous paracetamol post caesarean delivery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The postpartum period affects drug disposition, but data of intravenous paracetamol loading dose pharmacokinetics immediately following caesarean delivery have not yet been reported.
  
  
  METHODS
  Immediately following caesarean delivery, women received a 2-g loading dose of intravenous paracetamol. Plasma samples were collected at 1, 2, 4 and 6 h. Individual pharmacokinetics were calculated assuming a linear one-compartment model with instantaneous input and first-order output. Data were reported using median and range.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-eight patients undergoing caesarean delivery were recruited (age 31.5 [20-42] years, weight 79 [57-110] kg, body surface area 1.9 [1.5-2.4]m(2)). Median paracetamol plasma concentrations after 1, 2, 4 and 6 h were 22.5, 15.25, 7.9, and 3.9 mg/L respectively. Paracetamol clearance was 20.3 (11.8-62.8) L/h or 10.9 (7-23.8)L/hm(2), distribution volume 58.3 (42.9-156) L or 0.72 (0.52-1.56) L/kg.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pharmacokinetics of intravenous paracetamol have been estimated following caesarean delivery. Although limited to a loading dose shortly after surgery, the results are clinically relevant since this is the first description in this patient population. These data provide evidence on which to base further integrated pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic studies in peripartum analgesia.
authors.affiliation: Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kulo
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: van de Velde
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: de Hoon
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Verbesselt
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Devlieger
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Deprest
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Allegaert
mesh_terms: D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D000328:Adult; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D002585:Cesarean Section; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D000082:Acetaminophen