A comparison of nimesulide vs paracetamol in the treatment of pyrexia in the elderly.
The efficacy and safety of rectally administered nimesulide 200mg and paracetamol 500mg were assessed in a double-blind study. The study was conducted in 39 elderly inpatients with infections of the upper or lower respiratory tract associated with fever; 18 patients received nimesulide and 21 received paracetamol. Both treatments were given for 2 consecutive days and provided adequate therapy for pyrexia, with significant reductions in body temperature being observed. Both drugs were well tolerated. Only 1 patient in the nimesulide-treated group could not complete the study because cutaneous erythema occurred with itching; this resolved spontaneously upon treatment withdrawal. It is concluded that nimesulide is as active and safe as paracetamol for the treatment of pyrexia in the elderly.
Cunietti
E
E
IV Reparto Medicina Geriatrica, Istituto Geriatrico Pio Albergo Trivulzio, Milan, Italy.
Monti
M
M
Viganò
A
A
D'Aprile
E
E
Saligari
A
A
Scafuro
E
E
Scaricabarozzi
I
I
D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D013449:Sulfonamides; D000082:Acetaminophen; C012655:nimesulide