Evaluation of ibuprofen versus aspirin and paracetamol on efficacy and comfort in children with fever

Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 1997;51(5):367-71. doi: 10.1007/s002280050215.

Abstract

Objective: We compared efficacy and impact on the comfort of ibuprofen (7.5 mg/kg per dose), aspirin (10 mg/kg/dose) and paracetamol (10 mg/kg per dose) on children with fever aged 6-24 months in an open, randomised study with three parallel groups.

Methods: The main criterion for efficacy was area under the curve (AUC) of percentage temperature reduction. Comfort was assessed on scores depending on general behaviour and degree of relief. General behaviour was assessed on a verbal scale and on a visual analogue scale (VAS) and the degree of relief was assessed in relation to baseline on a verbal scale.

Results: The efficacy of ibuprofen was better than that of aspirin or paracetamol. In spite of more adverse events, the comfort scores were significantly in favour of ibuprofen 6 h after the first dose of treatment.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Acetaminophen / adverse effects
  • Acetaminophen / pharmacokinetics
  • Acetaminophen / therapeutic use*
  • Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / adverse effects
  • Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / pharmacokinetics
  • Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / therapeutic use*
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / adverse effects
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / pharmacokinetics
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use*
  • Aspirin / adverse effects
  • Aspirin / pharmacokinetics
  • Aspirin / therapeutic use*
  • Body Temperature / drug effects*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Fever / drug therapy*
  • Fever / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Ibuprofen / adverse effects
  • Ibuprofen / pharmacokinetics
  • Ibuprofen / therapeutic use*
  • Infant
  • Male

Substances

  • Analgesics, Non-Narcotic
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Acetaminophen
  • Aspirin
  • Ibuprofen