title: Antipyretic efficacy and safety of ibuprofen and acetaminophen in children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the antipyretic effects and safety of ibuprofen compared with acetaminophen in febrile children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Searches of MEDLINE (1966-November 2003) and EMBASE (1988-November 2003) were conducted using the terms ibuprofen and acetaminophen. Bibliographies of selected articles were reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ibuprofen was significantly more effective than acetaminophen in reducing fever after a single dose. Ibuprofen was found to be more effective after 6 hours, but not after a longer period of time. Studies with multiple doses have also failed to show that one drug is better than the other.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The efficacy and effectiveness of acetaminophen and ibuprofen in their recommended dosages are similar, with slightly more beneficial effects shown with ibuprofen.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Emergency Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. ran.goldman@sickkids.ca
authors.forename: Ran D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Goldman
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.forename: Lauren J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Linett
authors.forename: Dennis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Scolnik
mesh_terms: D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005334:Fever / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007052:Ibuprofen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007223:Infant; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000082:Acetaminophen; D007052:Ibuprofen