Antipyretic efficacy and safety of ibuprofen and acetaminophen in children.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the antipyretic effects and safety of ibuprofen compared with acetaminophen in febrile children.

DATA SOURCES: 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.

DATA SYNTHESIS: 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.