An observational study to evaluate the prescription pattern of intravenous acetaminophen used in the cardiovascular hospitalized patients
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61882/MEJNCD.1.1.5Keywords:
Acetaminophen, Analgesia, PainAbstract
Background: Intravenous (IV) acetaminophen is a potent analgesic and antipyretic agent
increasingly utilized in various hospital settings. While its efficacy in pain management is
established, its application within the specific population of hospitalized cardiovascular patients
warrants closer examination regarding appropriate prescription practices and adherence to
clinical guidelines. The study aimed to evaluate the prescription pattern of intravenous
acetaminophen used in cardiovascular hospitalized patients in a referral and teaching hospital in
Northeast Iran.
Method: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in a hospital setting and enrolled
288 participants, selected through systematic random sampling during 2022–2023. Data were
gathered using a structured checklist. All statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS
Statistics for Windows (Version 22.0; IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA).
Results: In this study, 288 patients were examined. A total of 187 (64.9%) were men. The
average age of the patients was 60.03±12.98 years. The frequency of irrational prescription of
acetaminophen among patients at Dr. Heshmat Hospital in Rasht was 4 cases (1.4%). In 6 cases
(2%), the incorrect indication for intravenous acetaminophen was observed. In three cases, the
indication was not documented, and in one case, lack of proper training was the cause of
inappropriate administration of acetaminophen injection. In 5 cases (1.7%), a prescription dose
mismatch was observed.
Conclusion: The study shows that although IV acetaminophen is used frequently in
cardiovascular patients, its prescribing pattern remains inconsistent, particularly in dosing and
treatment duration. Clear IV‑to‑oral conversion guidance and improved education on
appropriate therapy duration may help promote more rational use.
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