Acetaminophen: more harm than good for chickenpox?
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether acetaminophen affects the duration or severity of childhood varicella.


METHODS
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.


METHODS
Office- and hospital-based pediatric practices.


METHODS
Seventy-two children between 1 and 12 years of age entered the study. One child was withdrawn because of high fever, and three children did not complete the study; 31 received placebo and 37 received acetaminophen.


METHODS
Acetaminophen, 10 mg/kg/dose, was given at 8 AM, 12 PM, 4 PM, and 8 PM for 4 days. Placebo was given to the control group. Itching, appetite, activity, and overall condition were measured for 6 days. The time to last vesicle formation, time to total scabbing, and time to total healing were measured until complete resolution of the exanthem.


RESULTS
The following results were better in the placebo group (p less than .05): time to total scabbing 5.6 days (SD 2.5) versus 6.7 days (SD 2.3) in the acetaminophen group, and itching on day 4 in the placebo group (symptom score 2.9 (SD 0.20) vs 2.2 (SD 0.26]. Activity was better in the acetaminophen group on day 2 (3.13 (SD 0.23) vs 2.82 (SD 0.24].


CONCLUSIONS
These results provide evidence that acetaminophen does not alleviate symptoms in children with varicella and may prolong illness.
Doran
T F
TF
Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore.
De Angelis
C
C
Baumgardner
R A
RA
Mellits
E D
ED
D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011897:Random Allocation
D000082:Acetaminophen