Advil Dual Action (ibuprofen/acetaminophen)
Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data
Overview
Acetaminophen and ibuprofen sodium dihydrate is a fixed-combination preparation containing acetaminophen (a non-opiate, non-salicylate analgesic) and ibuprofen (a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)).
Acetaminophen is a synthetic nonopiate derivative of p-aminophenol that produces analgesia and antipyresis.
Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent (NSAIA) that exhibits analgesic and antipyretic activity.
Acetaminophen is a non-salicylate antipyretic and non-opioid analgesic agent. Acetaminophen produces analgesia and antipyresis in human and animal studies. Although the precise mechanism by which acetaminophen exerts its analgesic and antipyretic properties is not known, its primary activity is thought to occur centrally.
Individual doses of up to 3 grams and repeated doses of 1 gram of acetaminophen every 6 hours for 48 hours have not been shown to significantly impact platelet aggregation. Acetaminophen also does not have any immediate or delayed effects on small-vessel hemostasis. In patients with hemophilia treated with acetaminophen, there were no significant effects on bleeding time compared to healthy patients after multiple doses.
Following IV administration of single 500-mg, 650-mg, and 1-g doses of acetaminophen in adults, the pharmacokinetics are proportional to the dose administered. The peak plasma concentration of acetaminophen occurs at the end of the 15-minute IV infusion and is up to 70% higher than peak concentrations observed following oral administration of the same dose; however, systemic exposure to acetaminophen is similar following IV or oral administration. Following IV administration of a single dose of 15 mg/kg in pediatric patients or 1 g in adults, systemic exposure to acetaminophen is similar.
Acetaminophen plasma concentrations in neonates >32 weeks gestational age at birth receiving dosages of 12.5 mg/kg IV are similar to those in infants, children, and adolescents receiving dosages of 15 mg/kg IV, and adults receiving 1 g IV. Acetaminophen is widely distributed into most body tissues except fat. Acetaminophen is distributed into human milk in small quantities following oral administration.
About 10-25% of acetaminophen in blood is bound to plasma proteins.
Acetaminophen primarily undergoes metabolism via first-order kinetics that involves 3 separate pathways. These pathways include glucuronide conjugation, sulfate conjugation, and oxidation via the cytochrome P-450 (CYP) enzyme pathways, primarily CYP isoenzyme 2E1, to form a reactive intermediate metabolite N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI). At therapeutic doses, NAPQI is rapidly conjugated with glutathione and further metabolized to form cysteine and mercapturic acid conjugates.
Metabolites of acetaminophen are primarily excreted in the urine. Less than 5% of a dose of acetaminophen is excreted in urine as free acetaminophen and >90% of the dose is excreted within 24 hours after ingestion. Acetaminophen has been reported to have a plasma half-life of 2.4-3 hours in children, adolescents, and adults.
Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent (NSAIA) that has pharmacologic actions similar to those of other prototypical NSAIAs. Ibuprofen demonstrates anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and analgesic activity. The exact mechanisms of action of the drug have not been clearly established, but many of the actions appear to be associated with the inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis from arachidonic acid in a process mediated by the cyclooxygenase enzymes.
Prostaglandins are inflammatory mediators, and induce pain in animal models by sensitizing afferent nerves and potentiating the action of bradykinin. Ibuprofen, like other prototypical NSAIAs, inhibits both cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and -2 (COX-2). In patients with primary dysmenorrhea, ibuprofen has reduced resting and active intrauterine pressure and the frequency of uterine contractions, probably as a result of inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis.
It appears that ibuprofen's inhibitory effect on platelet aggregation is of shorter duration and less pronounced than that of aspirin. Patients who may be adversely affected by a prolongation of bleeding time should be carefully observed during ibuprofen therapy.
In many premature neonates, administration of ibuprofen results in closure of the persistently patent ductus arteriosus, although the mechanism of action by which ibuprofen facilitates this effect is not known.
Absorption of oral ibuprofen is rapid when administered in the fasting state. Peak plasma concentrations of ibuprofen are attained 1-2 hours after oral administration. Absorption rate is slower and plasma concentrations are reduced when ibuprofen is taken with food; however, the extent of absorption is not affected.
When the drug is administered with food, peak plasma ibuprofen concentrations are reduced by 30-50% and time to achieve peak plasma concentrations is delayed by 30-60 minutes. Absorption of ibuprofen does not appear to be affected by concomitant administration of antacids containing aluminum hydroxide or magnesium hydroxide.
Following oral administration of a 200-mg dose in adults or a 10-mg/kg dose in febrile children, peak plasma concentrations and plasma AUCs of ibuprofen appear to be increased in children compared with those achieved in adults; these differences appear to result from age- or fever-related changes in the volume of distribution in children and also to the variability of doses (based on body weight) administered to pediatric patients. Ibuprofen is dose proportional at oral dosages of 5 and 10 mg/kg in febrile children. In adults, single oral doses of up to 800 mg are dose proportional based on AUC.
Above 800 mg, AUC increases are less than dose proportional. In children, pharmacokinetics (based on AUC and peak plasma concentrations) of IV ibuprofen are similar between children 3 months to <6 months of age and children 6 months to <2 years of age. Approximately 99% of a dose is bound to plasma proteins; protein binding appears to be saturable, and at concentrations exceeding 20 mcg/mL, such binding is nonlinear.
Plasma concentrations of ibuprofen appear to decline in a biphasic manner with a half-life of approximately 2 hours. The terminal elimination half-life of orally administered ibuprofen in children reportedly is similar to that in adults; however, total clearance may be affected by age or fever. It has been suggested that changes in total clearance may result from changes in the volume of distribution in febrile children.
The terminal elimination half-life is at least tenfold longer in premature neonates than in adults. The elimination half-life in pediatric patients receiving IV ibuprofen is shorter than that observed in adults. Following IV administration of 10-mg/kg doses of ibuprofen, the mean half-life was 1.5-1.6 hours in pediatric patients 2-16 years of age, 1.8 hours in those 6 months to <2 years of age, and 1.3 hours in those 3 months to <6 months of age; the volume of distribution and clearance increased with age.
Ibuprofen is metabolized mainly via cytochrome P-450 (CYP) isoenzyme 2C9-mediated hydroxylation of R- and S-ibuprofen. The S-isomer is clinically active, while the R-isomer is considered clinically inactive and undergoes conversion to the active S-isomer. Approximately 10-15% of an ibuprofen dose is excreted renally.
Excretion of ibuprofen is essentially complete within 24 hours following oral administration. Following oral administration of ibuprofen, approximately 80% of the dose is recovered in urine as the hydroxy- and carboxyl metabolites; ibuprofen undergoes further conjugation to acyl glucuronides. Metabolism and excretion of ibuprofen in premature neonates have not been evaluated.
Renal function and enzymes associated with drug metabolism are underdeveloped in neonates at birth, and increase substantially in the days after birth.
Ibuprofen is used orally for the symptomatic treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile arthritis, and osteoarthritis. Ibuprofen also is used orally to relieve mild to moderate pain, to manage primary dysmenorrhea, and to reduce fever.
Generic name: ibuprofen/acetaminophen
Pronunciation: (EYE-bue-PROE-fen/a-SEET-a-MIN-oh-fen)
Reference product & biosimilars
No reference, biosimilar or interchangeable associated with this drug.
Today’s intelligence on Advil Dual Action
Indications
No indications are available for this drug.
Dosing
It isessential that the manufacturer's labeling be consulted for more detailed information on dosage and administration of this drug. Dosage summary:
To minimize risk of overdosage, recommended age-appropriate daily dosages of acetaminophen should not be exceeded.
To minimize the potential risk of adverse cardiovascular and/or GI events, use the lowest possible effective dosage and shortest duration of therapy consistent with treatment goals of the patient. Dosage of ibuprofen must be carefully adjusted according to individual requirements and response, using the lowest possible effective dosage.
Dosage of ibuprofen lysine is expressed in terms of ibuprofen.
*Use the lowest effective dosage for shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals.
*Do not administer with other acetaminophen- or NSAID-containing products.
*Oral dosage: The recommended oral dosage of acetaminophen/ibuprofen is 3 tablets (each containing 325 mg acetaminophen and 97.5 mg ibuprofen) every 6 hours as needed for pain relief, up to a maximum of 12 tablets per day.
*IV dosage: The recommended IV dosage in adult patients weighing >=50 kg (actual body weight) is 1000 mg of acetaminophen and 300 mg of ibuprofen administered as a 15-minute infusion, every 6 hours, as necessary. For adult patients weighing <50 kg (actual body weight), the recommended dosage is 15 mg/kg acetaminophen and 4.5 mg/kg ibuprofen administered as a 15-minute infusion, every 6 hours, as necessary. For doses less than 1000 mg acetaminophen and 300 mg ibuprofen, the appropriate dose must be withdrawn from the container and placed into a separate container prior to administration.
*Do not exceed a total daily dose of 4,000 mg (4 g) of acetaminophen from all sources.
Acetaminophen injection is administered by IV infusion over 15 minutes.
Acetaminophen is also commercially available in fixed-combination with ibuprofen (Combogesic(R)IV) for IV administration. See the full prescribing information for administration of this combination product.
Several commercially available fixed-combination prescription preparations containing acetaminophen are also available for oral use. See the full prescribing information for administration of these combination products.
Acetaminophen is commercially available in various oral and rectal over-the-counter (OTC) preparations as a single ingredient or in combination with other analgesics (e.g., ibuprofen), antihistamines, or decongestants. See the FDA Orange Book and the manufacturer's Drug Facts for further information.
Ibuprofen is administered orally or IV. Ibuprofen lysine is administered IV.
Ibuprofen is also commercially available in the following fixed-combination tablets for oral use: ibuprofen and famotidine (Duexis(R)); ibuprofen and hydrocodone bitartrate. See the full prescribing information for administration of each of these combination products.
Ibuprofen is also commercially available in various over-the-counter (OTC) preparations as a single ingredient or in combination with other analgesics (e.g., acetaminophen), antihistamines, or decongestants. See the FDA Orange Book and the manufacturer's Drug Facts for further information.
No dosing information is available for this tab.
No dosing information is available for this tab.
Drug interactions
Ibuprofen is metabolized mainly via cytochrome P-450 (CYP) isoenzyme 2C9-mediated hydroxylation of R- and S-ibuprofen. There is no evidence of enzyme induction.
There are no contraindication interactions for this drug.
There are no severe interactions for this drug.
There are no moderate interactions for this drug.
Contraindications
*Patients with known hypersensitivity to acetaminophen, ibuprofen, other NSAIDs, or to any of the excipients in the formulations.
*Patients with a history of asthma, urticaria, or other allergic-type reactions after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs. Severe, sometimes fatal, anaphylactic reactions to NSAIDs have been reported in such patients.
*Use in the setting of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.
*IV acetaminophen/ibuprofen is additionally contraindicated in patients with severe hepatic impairment or severe active liver disease.
*Known hypersensitivity to acetaminophen or any ingredient in the formulation.
*Severe hepatic impairment or severe active liver disease.
*Ibuprofen is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity (e.g., anaphylaxis, serious dermatologic reactions) to the drug or any ingredient in the formulation.
*Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIAs) generally are contraindicated in patients in whom asthma, urticaria, or other sensitivity reactions are precipitated by aspirin or other NSAIAs, since there is potential for cross-sensitivity between NSAIAs and aspirin, and severe, potentially fatal, bronchospasm can occur in such patients.
*NSAIAs are contraindicated in the setting of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.
Contraindications with IV Ibuprofen Lysine for PDA
*Neonates with proven or suspected untreated infection.
*Neonates with active bleeding, such as those with intracranial hemorrhage or GI bleeding, and in neonates with thrombocytopenia or underlying coagulation defect.
*Neonates with suspected necrotizing enterocolitis.
*Neonates with substantially impaired renal function.
*Neonates with congenital heart disease when patency of the ductus arteriosus is necessary for adequate pulmonary or systemic blood flow (e.g., neonates with pulmonary atresia, severe tetralogy of Fallot, or severe coarctation of the aorta).
There are no contraindication contraindications for this drug.
There are no severe contraindications for this drug.
There are no moderate contraindications for this drug.
Adverse reactions
The most common adverse reactions (>=2%) reported with use of acetaminophen/ibuprofen tablets were nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, somnolence, post-procedural hemorrhage, and swelling of the face.
The most common adverse reactions (>=3%) reported with use of acetaminophen/ibuprofen injection were infusion site pain, nausea, constipation, dizziness, infusion site extravasation, vomiting, headache, and somnolence.
The most common adverse effects reported in clinical trials in >=5% of patients receiving IV acetaminophen were nausea, vomiting, headache, and insomnia in adults and nausea, vomiting, constipation, and pruritus in pediatric patients.
Common adverse effects associated with oral or rectal administration of acetaminophen include skin rash, hypersensitivity reactions, nephrotoxicity, and hematologic abnormalities (e.g., anemia, leukopenia, neutropenia, and pancytopenia).
Adverse effects reported in at least 5% of adults receiving IV ibuprofen include nausea, flatulence, vomiting, headache, hemorrhage, and dizziness.
Adverse effects reported in at least 2% of pediatric patients receiving IV ibuprofen include infusion site pain, vomiting, nausea, anemia, and headache.
The most common type of adverse effect occurring with ibuprofen tablets is GI, and was reported in 4-16% of patients in clinical studies.
Adverse effects occurring in 1-10% of patients receiving ibuprofen oral suspension include abnormal renal function, anemia, dizziness, edema, elevated transaminases, fluid retention, GI effects (e.g., abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, dyspepsia, epigastric pain, flatulence, heartburn, nausea, vomiting), headaches, increased bleeding times, nervousness, pruritis, rashes (including maculopapular), and tinnitus.
Adverse effects occurring in at least 10% of premature infants receiving IV ibuprofen lysine for the treatment of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) include sepsis, anemia, intraventricular bleeding, apnea, GI disorders, impaired renal function, respiratory infection, skin lesions, hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia, and respiratory failure.
There are no severe adverse reactions for this drug.
There are no less severe adverse reactions for this drug.
Precautions
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The safety and effectiveness of acetaminophen/ibuprofen in pediatric patients have not been established. The fixed-combination IV and oral preparations are not approved for patients under 18 years of age.
Use of IV acetaminophen for analgesia in pediatric patients >=2 years of age is supported by evidence from adequate and well-controlled studies of IV acetaminophen in adults and additional safety and pharmacokinetic data from 483 pediatric patients ranging in age from neonates to adolescents. Efficacy of IV acetaminophen for analgesia has not been established in pediatric patients <2 years of age.
Use of IV acetaminophen for fever in pediatric patients <2 years of age, including premature neonates (postmenstrual age of at least 32 weeks) is supported by evidence from adequate and well-controlled studies of IV acetaminophen in adults, clinical data in pediatric patients >=2 years of age, and additional safety and pharmacokinetic data from 239 patients <2 years of age, including neonates with a postmenstrual age of at least 32 weeks.
The manufacturers state that the safety and efficacy of oral ibuprofen in children <6 months of age have not been established.
Pediatric patients receiving ibuprofen dosages exceeding 30 mg/kg daily and those who have had abnormal liver function test results associated with prior NSAIA therapy should be carefully monitored for signs and symptoms of early liver dysfunction.
Safety and efficacy of IV ibuprofen have been established for treatment of pain and fever in pediatric patients 3 months of age and older. Use of IV ibuprofen for these indications is supported by evidence from one open-label and acetaminophen-controlled study of fever, as well as additional safety data from four studies in 164 pediatric patients, supportive pediatric data from other approved ibuprofen preparations, and evidence from adequate and well-controlled studies in adults. The most common adverse effects of IV ibuprofen in pediatric patients are infusion site pain, vomiting, nausea, anemia, and headache. Efficacy of IV ibuprofen for relief of pain or reduction of fever has not been established in pediatric patients <3 months of age.
Long-term follow-up (beyond a postconceptional age of 36 weeks) of premature neonates receiving ibuprofen lysine for patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) has not been conducted. The effects of ibuprofen on neurodevelopmental outcome, growth, and other complications of prematurity (e.g., retinopathy of prematurity, chronic lung disease) have not been assessed.
Safety and efficacy of ibuprofen lysine have been established only in premature infants.
Use of NSAID-containing products, including acetaminophen/ibuprofen, can cause premature closure of the fetal ductus arteriosus and fetal renal dysfunction leading to oligohydramnios and, in some cases, neonatal renal impairment. Because of these risks, limit dose and duration of acetaminophen/ibuprofen use between about 20 and 30 weeks of gestation and avoid acetaminophen/ibuprofen use at about 30 weeks of gestation and later in pregnancy.
Use of NSAID-containing products, including acetaminophen/ibuprofen, at about 30 weeks gestation or later in pregnancy increases the risk of premature closure of the fetal ductus arteriosus.
Use of NSAID-containing products, including acetaminophen/ibuprofen, at about 20 weeks gestation or later in pregnancy has been associated with cases of fetal renal dysfunction leading to oligohydramnios, and in some cases, neonatal renal impairment.
Data from observational studies regarding other potential embryofetal risks of NSAID use in women in the first or second trimester of pregnancy are inconclusive.
In published animal reproduction studies, there were no clear developmental effects at doses up to 2.7-times the maximum human daily dose (MHDD) in the rabbit and 1.5-times in the MHDD rat when dosed throughout gestation. In contrast, an increase in membranous ventricular septal defects was reported in rats treated on gestation days 9 and 10 with 2.2-times the MHDD.
Based on animal data, prostaglandins have been shown to have an important role in endometrial vascular permeability, blastocyst implantation, and decidualization. In animal studies, administration of prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors such as ibuprofen, resulted in increased pre- and post-implantation loss. Prostaglandins also have been shown to have an important role in fetal kidney development. In published animal studies, prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors have been reported to impair kidney development when administered at clinically relevant doses.
Prolonged experience with acetaminophen in pregnant women over several decades, based on published observational epidemiological studies and case reports, did not identify a drug associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or other adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Reproductive and developmental studies in rats and mice from the published literature have identified adverse events at clinically relevant doses of acetaminophen. Fetotoxicity, increases in bone variations in the fetuses, and necrosis in the fetus liver and kidney have been noted in studies in rats. In mice treated with acetaminophen at doses within the clinical dosing range, cumulative adverse effects on reproduction were seen in a continuous breeding study. A reduction in number of litters of the parental mating pair was observed as well as retarded growth and abnormal sperm in their offspring and reduced birth weight in the next generation.
If, after consideration of alternative treatments for pain management, an NSAID-containing product, including acetaminophen/ibuprofen, is necessary at about 20 weeks gestation or later in pregnancy, limit the use to the lowest effective dose and shortest duration possible. If acetaminophen/ibuprofen treatment extends beyond 48 hours, consider monitoring with ultrasound for oligohydramnios. If oligohydramnios occurs, discontinue the fixed-combination drug and follow up according to clinical practice.
There are no studies on the effects of acetaminophen/ibuprofen during labor or delivery. In animal studies, NSAIDs, including ibuprofen, inhibit prostaglandin synthesis, cause delayed parturition, and increase the incidence of stillbirth.
Published studies and postmarketing reports describe maternal NSAID use at about 20 weeks gestation or later in pregnancy associated with fetal renal dysfunction leading to oligohydramnios, and in some cases, neonatal renal impairment. These adverse outcomes are seen, on average, after days to weeks of treatment, although oligohydramnios has been infrequently reported as soon as 48 hours after NSAID initiation. In many cases, but not all, the decrease in amniotic fluid was transient and reversible with cessation of the drug. There have been a limited number of case reports of maternal NSAID use and neonatal renal dysfunction without oligohydramnios, some of which were irreversible. Some cases of neonatal renal dysfunction required treatment with invasive procedures, such as exchange transfusion or dialysis.
The results from a large population-based prospective cohort, including data from 26,424 women with live born singletons who were exposed to oral acetaminophen during the first trimester, indicate no increased risk for congenital malformations, compared to a control group of unexposed children. The rate of congenital malformations (4.3%) was similar to the rate in the general population. A population-based, case-control study from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study showed that 11,610 children with prenatal exposure to acetaminophen during the first trimester had no increased risk of major birth defects compared to 4,500 children in the control group. Other epidemiological data showed similar results. However, these studies cannot definitely establish the absence of any risk because of methodological limitations, including recall bias.
Epidemiologic data regarding oral acetaminophen use in pregnant females have shown no increased risk of major congenital malformations in infants exposed in utero to the medication. In a large population-based prospective cohort study involving more than 26,000 females with live-born singleton infants who were exposed to oral acetaminophen during the first trimester of pregnancy, no increase in the risk of congenital malformations was observed in exposed children compared with a control group of unexposed children; rate of congenital malformations (4.3%) was similar to the rate in the general population. A population-based, case-control study from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study also found no increase in the risk of major birth defects in a group of 11,610 children who had been exposed to acetaminophen during the first trimester of pregnancy compared with a control group of 4,500 children.
Animal reproduction studies in pregnant rats given oral acetaminophen during organogenesis at dosages up to 0.85 times the maximum recommended human daily dosage (4 g daily, based on body surface area comparison) showed evidence of fetotoxicity (reduced fetal weight and length) and a dose-related increase in bone variations (reduced ossification and rudimentary rib changes); the offspring showed no evidence of external, visceral, or skeletal malformations. When pregnant rats received oral acetaminophen throughout gestation at a dosage of 1.2 times the maximum recommended human daily dosage, areas of necrosis occurred in both the liver and kidney of pregnant rats and fetuses; these effects did not occur in animals given acetaminophen at dosages of 0.3 times the maximum recommended human dosage.
In a continuous breeding study in which pregnant mice were given acetaminophen at dosages approximately equivalent to 0.43, 0.87, or 1.7 times the maximum recommended human daily dosage (based on body surface area comparison), a dose-related reduction in body weight of the fourth and fifth litter offspring of the treated mating pair occurred during lactation and following weaning at all dosages studied. Animals receiving the highest dosage had a reduced number of litters per mating pair, male offspring with an increased percentage of abnormal sperm, and reduced birth weights in the next-generation pups.
The manufacturer states that there are no animal reproductive studies with IV acetaminophen.
A correlation between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and neurodevelopmental disorders in children, including autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), has been observed in studies; however, inconsistent findings have been reported in the literature and a causal relationship has not been established. Results of 2 high-quality studies with sibling controls indicate prenatal exposure to acetaminophen was not associated with an increased risk of a neurodevelopmental diagnosis. There are unmeasured familial confounding factors that may explain the apparent association observed in some studies. Acetaminophen is considered the preferred analgesic/antipyretic for use during pregnancy because of its relatively favorable safety profile compared with other common analgesics. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) supports use of acetaminophen during pregnancy when taken as needed in moderation and after consultation with a doctor. There is no evidence to support any risk associated with appropriate use of acetaminophen during pregnancy. However, untreated maternal fever and pain pose risks such as neural tube defects and preterm birth, necessitating a balanced approach.
Use of NSAIAs during pregnancy at about 30 weeks' gestation or later can cause premature closure of the fetal ductus arteriosus, and use at about 20 weeks' gestation or later has been associated with fetal renal dysfunction resulting in oligohydramnios and, in some cases, neonatal renal impairment. Because of these risks, use of NSAIAs should be avoided in pregnant women at about 30 weeks' gestation or later; if NSAIA therapy is necessary between about 20 and 30 weeks' gestation, the lowest effective dosage and shortest possible duration of treatment should be used. Monitoring of amniotic fluid volume via ultrasound examination should be considered if the duration of NSAIA treatment exceeds 48 hours; if oligohydramnios occurs, the drug should be discontinued and follow-up instituted according to clinical practice. Pregnant women should be advised to avoid use of NSAIAs beginning at 20 weeks' gestation unless otherwise advised by a clinician; they also should be informed that NSAIAs should be avoided beginning at 30 weeks' gestation because of the risk of premature closure of the fetal ductus arteriosus and that monitoring for oligohydramnios may be necessary if NSAIA therapy is required for longer than 48 hours' duration between about 20 and 30 weeks of gestation.
Fetal renal dysfunction resulting in oligohydramnios and, in some cases, neonatal renal impairment has been observed, on average, following days to weeks of maternal NSAIA use, although oligohydramnios has been observed infrequently as early as 48 hours after initiation of NSAIA therapy. Oligohydramnios is often, but not always, reversible following discontinuance of NSAIA therapy. Complications of prolonged oligohydramnios may include limb contracture and delayed lung maturation. A limited number of case reports have described maternal NSAIA use and neonatal renal dysfunction, in some cases irreversible, without oligohydramnios. Some cases of neonatal renal dysfunction have required treatment with invasive procedures such as exchange transfusion or dialysis. Methodologic limitations of these postmarketing studies and case reports include lack of a control group; limited information regarding dosage, duration, and timing of drug exposure; and concomitant use of other drugs. These limitations preclude establishing a reliable estimate of the risk of adverse fetal and neonatal outcomes with maternal NSAIA use. Available data on neonatal outcomes generally involved preterm infants, and the extent to which certain reported risks can be generalized to full-term infants is uncertain.
Animal data indicate that prostaglandins have an important role in endometrial vascular permeability, blastocyst implantation, and decidualization. In animal studies, inhibitors of prostaglandin synthesis, such as ibuprofen, were associated with increased preimplantation and postimplantation losses. Prostaglandins also have an important role in fetal kidney development. In animal studies, inhibitors of prostaglandin synthesis impaired kidney development at clinically relevant doses.
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of ibuprofen in pregnant women. In animal reproduction studies, no clear developmental effects were observed in rabbits or rats given ibuprofen throughout the gestational period at dosages up to 0.4 or 0.5 times, respectively, the maximum recommended human dosage (MRHD). An increase in membranous ventricular septal defects was reported in rats given ibuprofen on gestation days 9 and 10 at a dosage of 0.8 times the MRHD.
The effects of ibuprofen on labor and delivery are unknown. In studies in rats, drugs that inhibit prostaglandin synthesis, including NSAIAs, delayed parturition and increased the incidence of stillbirth.
The components of acetaminophen/ ibuprofen are present in human milk. Limited published literature reports that, orally administered ibuprofen is present in human milk at relative infant doses of 0.06% to 0.6% of the maternal weight-adjusted daily dose. There are no reports of adverse effects of ibuprofen on the breastfed infant and no effects on milk production.
Limited published studies report that orally administered acetaminophen passes rapidly into human milk with similar levels in the milk and plasma. Average and maximum neonatal doses of 1% and 2%, respectively, of the weight-adjusted maternal dose are reported after a single oral administration of 1 gram acetaminophen. There is one well-documented report of a rash in a breast-fed infant that resolved when the mother stopped acetaminophen use and recurred when she resumed acetaminophen use.
The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother's clinical need for acetaminophen/ibuprofen and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from the combination drug or from the underlying maternal condition.
It is not known if IV acetaminophen is excreted into human milk; however, data suggest following oral administration of acetaminophen, infant exposure is approximately 1-2% of the weight-adjusted maternal daily dosage. Limited published studies report acetaminophen passes rapidly into human milk with similar levels noted in milk and plasma. A case of rash in a breast-fed infant has been reported; the rash resolved when the mother discontinued acetaminophen use and recurred when she resumed acetaminophen therapy. The developmental and health benefits of breast-feeding should be considered along with the mother's clinical need for acetaminophen and any potential adverse effects on the breast-fed infant from exposure to the medication or to the underlying maternal condition.
Limited data indicate that ibuprofen is distributed into milk, resulting in infant exposures of 0.06-0.6% of the maternal weight-adjusted daily dosage. Adverse effects on breast-fed infants or effects on milk production have not been reported to date. The developmental and health benefits of breast-feeding should be considered along with the mother's clinical need for ibuprofen and any potential adverse effects on the breast-fed infant from the drug or from the underlying maternal condition.
The manufacturer makes no specific dosage recommendations for geriatric patients. Although no overall differences in efficacy or safety were observed between geriatric and younger patients, and other clinical experience revealed no evidence of age-related differences, the possibility that some older patients may exhibit increased sensitivity to IV acetaminophen cannot be ruled out.
The manufacturers make no specific dosage recommendations in geriatric patients; however, geriatric patients are generally at a greater risk for NSAIA-associated serious cardiovascular, GI, and/or renal adverse effects. If the expected benefits outweigh the potential risks of therapy, initiate at the lower end of the dosage range and monitor for adverse effects.
Elderly patients, compared to younger patients, are at greater risk for NSAID-associated serious cardiovascular, GI, and/or renal adverse reactions. If the anticipated benefit for the elderly patient outweighs these potential risks, start dosing at the low end of the dosing range, and monitor patients for adverse effects.
This drug is known to be substantially excreted by the kidney, and the risk of adverse reactions to this drug may be greater in patients with impaired renal function. Because elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal function, care should be taken in dose selection, and it may be useful to monitor renal function.
When the total number of patients studied in clinical trials of IV acetaminophen is considered, 15% were >=65 years of age, while 5% were >=75 years of age. Although no overall differences in efficacy or safety were observed between geriatric and younger patients, and other clinical experience revealed no evidence of age-related differences, the possibility some older patients may exhibit increased sensitivity to acetaminophen cannot be ruled out.
Geriatric patients are at increased risk for NSAIA-associated serious adverse cardiovascular, GI, and renal effects. Many of the spontaneous reports of fatal adverse GI effects in patients receiving NSAIAs involve geriatric individuals. If the anticipated benefits of ibuprofen therapy outweigh the potential risks, ibuprofen should be initiated at the lower end of the dosing range and patients should be monitored for adverse effects.
Clinical studies of IV ibuprofen did not include sufficient numbers of patients >=65 years of age to determine whether geriatric patients respond differently than younger adults. Dosage should be selected with caution, starting at the low end of the dosage range, because of the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, and/or cardiac function and concomitant disease and drug therapy observed in the elderly.
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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data
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