Ibuprofen longer-acting for fever in children

A new meta-analysis has shown that ibuprofen reduces fever in children more effectively than paracetamol for up to 6 hours (Perrott DA et al. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2004;158:521-6 ).

Australian investigators analysed 17 randomised blinded comparisons of ibuprofen and paracetamol in children with fever or moderate to severe pain. Considering only the effects of the first dose, they found that ibuprofen 5 - 10 mg/kg reduced temperature by more than paracetamol 10 - 15 mg/kg after 2, 4 and 6 hours (effect sizes 0.19, 0.31 and 0.33 respectively) and that the highest doses of ibuprofen (10 mg/kg) were more effective still (effect sizes 0.34, 0.81, 0.66 respectively). The analgesic efficacy of ibuprofen and paracetamol were similar and there was no evidence of a difference in major or minor adverse events.

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