Study of the efficacy of acetaminophen prophylaxis on the reaction to DTP vaccination

ABSTRACT

To determine the effect of prophylactic acetaminophen on reactions after diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and pertussis vaccination, 1600 infants and children received either acetaminophen or placebo using a systemic sampling technique, before, 4 and 8 hours after vaccination. Fever, local and systemic reactions were monitored. Overall, the reaction score of acetaminophen recipient was significantly less than that of the placebo recipient was significantly less than that of the placebo recipients. The rates of occurrence of fever and crying and the degree of pain at the injection site were significantly reduced by acetaminophen administration. Infants who received acetaminophen were less likely to be switched to a known antipyretic than placebo recipients. We can conclude that prophylactic acetaminophen had a moderating effect on the adverse reactions to DTP vaccination