This Article Full Text (OnlineFirst PDF) All Versions of this Article: 0009922808319967v1 0009922808319967v2    most recent Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Google Scholar Articles by Kramer, L. C. Articles by Fairchok, M. P. PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Kramer, L. C. Articles by Fairchok, M. P. Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

Alternating Antipyretics: Antipyretic Efficacy of Acetaminophen Versus Acetaminophen Alternated With Ibuprofen in Children

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: mary.fairchok{at}us.army.mil.

	Abstract

Methods A prospective, randomized double-blind placebo control study comparing the efficacy of acetaminophen to acetaminophen alternated with ibuprofen in 38 healthy outpatient children 6 months to 6 years presenting to the outpatient clinic with fever >38°C was conducted. Temperatures were recorded at 0, 3, 4, 5, and 6 hours. Side effect diaries and parental perception of efficacy were filled out hourly by parents.

Results There were no significant differences in temperature between the 2 groups at times 0, 3, and 6 hours.

The alternating group had significantly lower mean temperatures at both 4 hours (38.0°C vs 37.4°C; P = .05) and 5 hours (37.1°C vs 37.9°C; P = .0032). Parents did not perceive any difference in fever control between the groups.

Conclusions An alternating regimen of acetaminophen with ibuprofen significantly decreased fever at 4 and 5 hours compared with acetaminophen alone. However, parents did not perceive a difference in efficacy.

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?