Comparison of antipyretic effectiveness of equal doses of rectal and oral acetaminophen in children.
OBJECTIVE
To compare a dose of oral and rectal acetaminophen and to evaluate acceptability of rectal acetaminophen, since oral and rectal acetaminophen is widely used as an antipyretic agent in febrile children and the comparative effectiveness of these two preparations is not well established.


METHODS
In this prospective parallel group designed study, 60 children who presented to the emergency department or outpatient pediatric clinic at a tertiary hospital and aged from 6 months to 6 years with rectal temperature over 39 degrees C were enrolled. Patients were randomly assigned to two equal-sized groups. Group 1 received 15 mg/kg acetaminophen rectally and group 2 received the same dose orally. Temperature was recorded at baseline and 1 and 3 hours after drug administration.


RESULTS
In the first group, mean decrease in temperature, 1 and 3 hours after administration of acetaminophen was 1.07+/-0.16 (p < 0.001) and 1.74+/-0.25 degrees C (p < 0.001), respectively, and in the second group it was 1.98+/-0.19 (p < 0.001) and 1.70+/-0.14 degrees C (p < 0.001), respectively (p > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Rectal and oral acetaminophen preparations have equal antipyretic effectiveness in children. The rectal route proved to be as acceptable as the oral one among parents.
Karbasi
Sedigha Akhavan
SA
Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
Modares-Mosadegh
Moneyreh
M
Golestan
Motahhareh
M
D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000285:Administration, Rectal; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D000082:Acetaminophen