Can a simple painkiller help curb opioid use after back surgery?
NCT ID NCT03020875
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested whether giving acetaminophen (Tylenol) through an IV works better than pills for pain after lumbar spine surgery. 166 adults having a specific type of back fusion surgery were randomly assigned to receive either IV or oral acetaminophen. The goal was to see if the IV version could reduce pain and cut down on the need for stronger opioid painkillers, which carry risks of addiction and side effects.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- acetaminophen (paracetamol)
- What this could lead to
- If IV acetaminophen proves better, it could offer a way to manage pain after spine surgery with fewer opioids and less nausea.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, single-center trial comparing two forms of a common drug, so any benefit may be modest and not apply to all patients.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Hospital for Special Surgery
New York, New York, 10021, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.