Paracetamol (acetaminophen) for perineal pain in the early postpartum period

Single dose of paracetamol (acetaminophen) appears to be effective for perineal pain in the early postpartum period.

A Cochrane review included 10 studies with a total of 1367 subjects. Most of the women suffered pain due to an episiotomy. More women experienced pain relief with paracetamol compared with placebo (for any dose RR 2.14, 95% CI 1.59 to 2.89; 10 studies, n=1279; for 500 mg to 650 mg RR 1.86, 95% CI 1.20 to 2.87; 5 trials, n=483; and for 1000 mg RR 2.42 95% CI 1.53 to 3.81; 6 trials, n=797). In addition, there were significantly fewer women having additional pain relief with paracetamol compared with placebo (RR 0.34, 95% CI 0.21 to 0.55, 8 studies, n=1132).

Comment: The quality of evidence is downgraded by several shortcomings in study quality.

Ədəbiyyat

1. Chou D, Abalos E, Gyte GM, Gülmezoglu AM. Paracetamol/acetaminophen (single administration) for perineal pain in the early postpartum period. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2010 Mar 17;3:CD008407 [Review content assessed as up-to-date: 12 November 2012].