Safety and efficacy of intravenous acetaminophen in the elderly after major orthopedic surgery: subset data analysis from 3, randomized, placebo-controlled trials

Abstract

As the number of patients aged 65 years and older increases, joint replacement has become a frequent procedure after progressive osteoarthritis or fractures. Although hip and knee arthroplasty has become a relatively commonplace procedure in this age-group, the advanced age in patients undergoing these procedures often is associated with comorbidities and potential complications that can present challenges and limit analgesic choices. This subset analysis is designed to determine the efficacy and safety of intravenous (IV) acetaminophen in the elderly subpopulation from 3 placebo-controlled studies conducted to document the safety and efficacy of IV acetaminophen. A total of 231 patients were enrolled in the 3 trials, and of these, a total of 107 patients (46%) were aged 65 years or older. Across the studies, safety and efficacy were well documented in the elderly subpopulation and were comparable with the subpopulation younger than 65 years. A review of the literature similarly demonstrates the efficacy and safety of IV acetaminophen used for postoperative analgesia after joint replacement.