Ketorolac versus acetaminophen for treatment of acute fever in the emergency department.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this preliminary study was to compare acetaminophen to ketorolac for treating patients with fever in the emergency department (ED).


METHODS
In this prospective, randomized, double-blind pilot study, patients were enrolled as a convenience sample during a 6-month study period. All subjects 18 years or older with a temperature of 100.4 degrees F or higher were eligible. Investigators gave patients 10 mg of oral ketorolac or 750 mg of oral acetaminophen. The temperature and pulse were rechecked at 30, 60, and 90 minutes. Patients recorded discomfort on a visual analog scale (VAS) at 30, 60, and 90 minutes.


RESULTS
A total of 17 patients were enrolled. A t test showed no difference in temperatures, and the Mann-Whitney nonparametric test showed no difference in VAS scores.


CONCLUSIONS
In this preliminary study comparing ketorolac with acetaminophen for febrile illness in the ED, we found no difference in efficacy between the two medications.
Houry
D
D
Department of Emergency Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tenn, USA.
Ernst
A
A
Weiss
S
S
Ledbetter
M
M
D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000208:Acute Disease; D000284:Administration, Oral; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004638:Emergency Treatment / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D020910:Ketorolac / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D000082:Acetaminophen; D020910:Ketorolac