Antipyretic therapy: physiologic rationale, diagnostic implications, and clinical consequences.
Various treatments have been used to suppress fever since antiquity. Surprisingly, few studies have been performed to ascertain the physiologic consequences of antipyresis and validate the rationale behind such therapy. More importantly, it has not been established conclusively that the benefits of antipyretic therapy outweigh its risks. The present review considers these issues in light of currently available data and formulates guidelines for antipyretic therapy based on these data.
Plaisance
K I
KI
University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore 21201, USA.
Mackowiak
P A
PA
D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005334:Fever / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans
D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal