A new study suggests that post-operative shivering can be reduced by acetaminophen. Acetaminophen, like Tylenol which is a pain reliever and a fever reducer, its intake during surgery may reduce the incidence of postoperative shivering. It is a common side effect that a patient happens to suffer chills and shivering while regaining consciousness after surgery. Shivering can occur in up to half of patients. While the exact cause is unknown, scientists believe it may be related to the body cooling down.
lead study author, Takahiro Tadokoro, a physician anesthesiologist at the University of the Ryukyus in Okinawa, Japan, said: “Postoperative shivering is a frequent complication in patients recovering from general anesthesia. It causes significant pain and discomfort. Post-operative shivering can also put a strain on the cardiovascular system, therefore we need to prevent it, especially in patients with cardiopulmonary risk,” Tadokoro said. She also noted that acetaminophen is being used more and more pre-and postoperatively in an effort to control pain and to minimise opioids. However, until now, few studies have evaluated the ability of acetaminophen to prevent postoperative shivering. “We believe our findings can be widely applicable, as acetaminophen is a relatively safe drug and commonly used,” Tadokoro stated. The study was published in the journal of American Society of Anesthesiologists.