Antipyretic efficacy of acetaminophen and ibuprofen in children aged 6 months to 10 years

ABSTRACT

Fever and consequent convulsion are among major concerns for parents of febrile children. Many antipyretic drugs are applied excessively to decrease ever in children. Many antipyretic drugs are applied excessively to decrease fever in children. This research is designed to study the efficacy and stability effects of cetaminophen and Ibuprofen in febrile children aged 6 months to 10 years old. This single-blind clinical trial study was performed on 390 children [aged 6 months to 10 years] referring to pediatric emergency department. The cases were divided equally and randomly into two groups, allocated to receive either 15 mg/kg Acetaminophen or 10mg/kg Ibuprofen. Including criteria was oral temperature of 38-40 degrees centigrade or rectal temperature of 38.5-40.5 degrees centigrade. Temperatures were recorded at the time of admission, 2, 4 and 6 hours after receiving antipyretic drug. Data was analyzed by SPSS software. T-tests and chi-square test were used for statistical comparisons. Findings revealed that mean temperatures on admission were 39.01 +/- 0.7 degrees centigrade and 39.03 +/- 0.69 degrees centigrade in the Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen groups, respectively, showing no significant difference. Mean temperatures at 2 hours after initiation of treatment in Acetaminophen and Ibruprofen groups were 38.78 +/- 0.92 degrees centigrade and 37.25 +/- 0.78 degrees centigrade, respectively [P<0.0001]. After 6 hours, the temperatures were 37.36 +/- 0.92 degrees centigrade and 36.99 +/- 0.05 degrees centigrade [P<0.002]. Overall, stability of antipyretic effect of Ibuprofen was more than Acetaminophen. Results indicate that Ibruporfen is more effective than Acetaminophen in maximum decline in temperature and its stability in lowering temperature is better than Acetaminophen. It is suggested that Ibruprofen be used as an antipyretic in children older than 6 months when Acetaminophen cannot control fever or more stable antipyretic is expected