PO vs. IV Acetaminophen Given Perioperatively for 24 hr Post-op Pain Control Following Total Hip or Knee Replacement

Subjects randomized to the Oral acetaminophen arm will receive 2 Tylenol 500mg capsules. In this study, one arm receives an oral form of active medication and one arm receives an IV form of active medication. To keep the subject and study personnel blinded, subjects receiving Oral acetaminophen will also receive 100ml of IV Normal Saline similar to the delivery method of the IV acetaminophen arm. The Normal Saline IV placebo will be given not as an intervention but rather as a method to maintain study integrity.

Subjects randomized to the IV acetaminophen arm will receive Ofirmev 1000mg in 100ml Normal Saline IV plus 2 placebo capsules. In this study, one arm receives an oral form of active medication and one arm receives an IV form of active medication. To keep the subject and study personnel blinded, subjects receiving IV acetaminophen will also receive 2 placebo capsules similar to the delivery method of the oral acetaminophen arm. The placebo capsules will be given not as an intervention but rather as a method to maintain study integrity.