Antipyretic efficacy of ibuprofen vs acetaminophen.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the antipyretic efficacy of ibuprofen, placebo, and acetaminophen.


METHODS
Double-dummy, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.


METHODS
Emergency department and inpatient units of a large, metropolitan, university-based, children's hospital in Michigan.


METHODS
37 otherwise healthy children aged 2 to 12 years with acute, intercurrent, febrile illness.


METHODS
Each child was randomly assigned to receive a single dose of acetaminophen (10 mg/kg), ibuprofen (7.5 or 10 mg/kg), or placebo.


RESULTS
Oral temperature was measured before dosing, 30 minutes after dosing, and hourly thereafter for 8 hours after the dose. Patients were monitored for adverse effects during the study and 24 hours after administration of the assigned drug. All three active treatments produced significant antipyresis compared with placebo. Ibuprofen provided greater temperature decrement and longer duration of antipyresis than acetaminophen when the two drugs were administered in approximately equal doses. No adverse effects were observed in any treatment group.


CONCLUSIONS
Ibuprofen is a potent antipyretic agent and is a safe alternative for the selected febrile child who may benefit from antipyretic medication but who either cannot take or does not achieve satisfactory antipyresis with acetaminophen.
Kauffman
R E
RE
Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI.
Sawyer
L A
LA
Scheinbaum
M L
ML
D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007052:Ibuprofen / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000082:Acetaminophen; D007052:Ibuprofen