Comparison between antipyretic effects of Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen monotherapy with alternative regimen of both drugs in children aged 6 months to 12 years

Background: Pediatricians frequently confront with elevated body temperature in children and subsequent anxious parents. They practice several approaches in management of fever. A recently addressed issue is administration of alternating doses of acetaminophen and Ibuprofen. This method is relatively common , despite lack of sufficient evidence in this field. Materials and Methods: This study is a randomized clinical trial. A total of 240 children, aged 6 months to 12 years suffering from gastroenteritis was recruited in this research. Children were classified in 3 groups. First group received Acetaminophen, second group received Ibuprofen and third group were treated with acetaminophen – Ibuprofen every other day alternately. Results: 240 child were taken apart in this research . 112 ones were female (46.66%) and 128 were male (53.33%). The mean time of lowering fever in the first group was 2.07 days. This figure in the second and third groups were 1.82 and 1.87 respectively. Average doses in the first, second and third groups were (in order) 9, 8.17 and 7.13 doses. Medication in the first group minimum effectiveness rather than two other groups. Conclusion: The alternating regimen of Acetaminophen – Ibuprofen is more effective than monotherapy in reduction of fever in infants and children between 6 months to 12 years.