Propacetamol is a
prodrug form of
paracetamol which is formed from
esterification of paracetamol, and the
carboxylic acid diethylglycine. This has the advantage of making it more water-soluble. It is used in post-operative care and is delivered by
I.V.[2] It is given if the patient is unable to take oral or rectally delivered paracetamol and
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are contraindicated. The onset of analgesia from propacetamol is more rapid than paracetamol given orally.[3]
2 grams of propacetamol are equivalent to 1g of paracetamol.[4]
^Flouvat B, Leneveu A, Fitoussi S, Delhotal-Landes B, Gendron A (2004). "Bioequivalence study comparing a new paracetamol solution for injection and propacetamol after single intravenous infusion in healthy subjects". International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics. 42 (1): 50–57.
doi:
10.5414/cpp42050.
PMID14756388.