Antipyretic effect of oral versus rectal acetaminophen in children-a randomized comparative study

Objective: Acetaminophen is one of the widely used analgesics & antipyretics around the world. Because of its safety, it is widely used in children for the relief of fever. It is available in both oral(solid, liquid) & rectal forms(Suppositories).Different studies shown their efficacy in reducing pain & fever, however the results varies due to absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion. Methods: This randomized control trail studies were conducted in the Dr. M R Shishu Hospital. Then the data were entered into the computer and calculated the result using SPSS. Results: In the study it has been found that the mean temperature of the oral group ((37.6 0 C) is quite similar to the mean temperature of the rectal group (37.8 0 C). By the end of the study (180 minutes), 76.9% (n = 60) children experienced a temperature drop that was either equal to or more than 1 0 C. When the data was stratified by the study groups, the respective proportions in the oral and in the rectal group were found to be 75% (n = 30) and 78.9% (n=30). Likewise, by The end of the study (180 minutes), a total of 44.8% (n = 44) children experienced a temperature drop that was either equal to or more than 2oc. When the data was stratified by the study groups, the respective proportions observed in the oral and in the rectal group was 37.5% (n = 15) and 52.6% (n=20). By the end of the study was statistically no different between the oral and the rectal group. Conclusion: Oral and rectal acetaminophen preparations seems to be equally efficacious for the treatment of fever and pain. Our randomized controlled trial tested the difference between the two forms of administration at a standard dose and found that the groups did not differ on any of the three outcomes: mean 3World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research SJIF Impact Factor 8.074 Volume 7, Issue 7, 1722-1734. Research Article ISSN 2277– 7105 Article Received on 19 Feb. 2018, Revised on 11 March 2018, Accepted on 31 March 2018, DOI: 10.20959/wjpr20187-11685