title: Antipyretic effect and plasma concentrations of rectal acetaminophen and diazepam in children.
abstract: Plasma levels of acetaminophen (paracetamol) and diazepam were measured in 9 children by gas chromatography after administering these drugs simultaneously in separate suppositories. The antipyretic effects of oral and rectal acetaminophen-diazepam combinations were also studied and compared with that of oral or rectal acetaminophen alone. Diazepam at a dose of 0.2 mg/kg did not increase the antipyretic action of acetaminophen. Acetaminophen and diazepam seemed to be well absorbed from the rectal suppositories, the maximal plasma concentration of diazepam after a rectal dose of 0.5 mg/kg just reaching the assumed anticonvulsant level in about 2 hr. In light of this study, an acetaminophen-diazepam combination in separate suppositories may be suitable for the prevention of recurrent febrile convulsions in susceptible children, but its practical value and efficacy require evaluation in clinical experiments.
mesh_terms: D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003975:Diazepam / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005334:Fever / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D012640:Seizures / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003294:Seizures, Febrile / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013488:Suppositories
chemical_list: D013488:Suppositories; D000082:Acetaminophen; D003975:Diazepam