Paracetamol elimination in patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus.

The pharmacokinetics and metabolism of an intravenous dose (500 mg) of paracetamol were studied in a group of non-insulin dependent diabetic patients (n = 10) and in a group of healthy control subjects (n = 9). Paracetamol clearance, half-life and the partial clearance to paracetamol glucuronide were not significantly different, but the partial clearance to paracetamol sulphate was significantly reduced (62 +/- 18 vs 86 +/- 17 ml h-1 kg-1 (mean +/- s.d.)) and the renal clearance of paracetamol was significantly increased (56 +/- 20 vs 22 +/- 6 ml h-1 kg-1 (mean +/- s.d.)) in the non-insulin dependent diabetic patients, compared with the control group.