Perfalgan infusion (paracetamol)

How does it work?

Perfalgan infusion contains the active ingredient paracetamol, which is a simple painkilling medicine used to relieve mild to moderate pain and fever.

Despite its widespread use for over 100 years, we still don't fully understand how paracetamol works to relieve pain and reduce fever. However, it is now thought that it works by reducing the production of prostaglandins in the brain and spinal cord.

Prostaglandins are produced by the body in response to injury and certain diseases. One of their actions is to sensitise nerve endings, so that when the injury is stimulated it causes pain (presumably to prevent us from causing further harm to the area). As paracetamol reduces the production of these nerve sensitising prostaglandins it is thought it may increase our pain threshold, so that although the injury remains, we can feel it less.

It is thought paracetamol reduces fever by affecting an area of the brain that regulates our body temperature (the hypothalamic heat-regulating center).

Paracetamol is about as effective as aspirin at relieving mild to moderate pain and reducing fever, but unlike aspirin it has no anti-inflammatory effect.

Paracetamol infusion is given in hospital. (An infusion is a drip into a vein.) Paracetamol may be given in this way either because a patient is unable to take medicines by mouth, or because a rapid effect is needed. This infusion may be given for the short-term relief of moderate pain, particularly following surgery. It may also be used for reducing fever in the short-term.

What is it used for?

Short-term relief of moderate pain, particularly following surgery

Short-term treatment of fever (pyrexia).

Use with caution in

Decreased kidney function

Decreased liver function

Chronic alcoholism

Chronic malnutrition

Dehydration.

Not to be used in

Known sensitivity or allergy to any ingredient

Severe liver dysfunction.

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

Oral paracetamol is not known to have any harmful effects when it is used during pregnancy. However, as experience with paracetamol infusion in pregnant women is limited, it should be given with caution to pregnant women and only if the benefits outweigh any possible risks to the foetus. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Small amounts of this medicine may pass into breast milk, however there are no known harmful effects when it is used by breastfeeding mothers.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Skin rash

General feeling of being unwell (malaise)

Decreased blood pressure

Raised liver enzymes

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

Other medicines that contain paracetamol must not be used in combination with this medicine.

Probenecid may increase the blood level of this medicine. A lower dose may be needed if it is used in combination with probenecid.

Salicylamide may prolong the amount of time the paracetamol stays in the body.

Regular use of maximum doses of paracetamol for longer than four days may increase the anti-blood-clotting effect of anticoagulant medicines such as warfarin, which could increase the risk of bleeding associated with these medicines. This effect does not occur with occasional painkilling doses of paracetamol. If paracetamol is used at the maximum dose for longer than four days in people taking anticoagulants such as warfarin, increased monitoring of blood clotting times (INR) should be performed. The increased monitoring should be performed while the paracetamol is being used, and for a week after it has been stopped. Your doctor may need to adjust your anticoagulant dose on the basis of the results.

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