Could IV tylenol replace opioids after brain surgery?
NCT ID NCT01739699
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether giving intravenous acetaminophen (Tylenol) during and after brain surgery could reduce the need for opioid painkillers. 140 adults having open brain surgery were randomly assigned to receive either IV Tylenol or a placebo. The main goal was to see if more patients in the Tylenol group could avoid opioids entirely in the first 24 hours after surgery.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- acetaminophen (Tylenol)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a safer way to manage pain after brain surgery, reducing the need for strong opioids.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, completed Phase 4 trial. Results may not apply to all patients or surgeries, and IV acetaminophen may not be effective for everyone.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
NorthShore University HealthSystem
Evanston, Illinois, 60201, United States
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