How pain relief works differently in people with obesity

Researchers want to understand how the body processes acetaminophen (a common over-the-counter pain reliever) differently in people with obesity compared to people without obesity. The study will give participants intravenous acetaminophen during surgery and measure how much medication reaches their bloodstream and what byproducts the body creates. This information could help doctors figure out if people with obesity need different doses to get the same pain relief.

Current pain-relief guidelines recommend the same acetaminophen dose for everyone, but recent research suggests people with obesity may need higher doses to feel the same effect. At the same time, the body might create more potentially harmful byproducts. This trial will gather the evidence needed to determine if dosing guidelines should change for people with obesity.