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Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2006;160:757.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

The recent study by Sarrell et al¹ on alternating acetaminophen and ibuprofen for fever found significant benefits over monotherapy. Table 2 in their study reports a mean daily temperature approximately 1°C (1.8°F) lower with the alternating regimen. These findings beg to be implemented, but might there be repercussions?

I’m concerned that this approach might be applied to telephone care. The risk for dosage errors and poisoning due to caller confusion remains real on the telephone.² Telephone medicine is not practiced at research pace. This study had many safeguards: all patients were seen, written instructions on how to dose the 2 antipyretics (including the initial loading dose) were provided, and a pharmacist reinforced these instructions.

Emphasizing dual therapy also will probably increase parents' preoccupation with "controlling the fever" and their fear of elevated temperatures. More fever phobia in turn drives unnecessary phone calls and emergency department visits. Most children can be . . . [Full Text of this Article]

AUTHOR INFORMATION

Barton D. Schmitt, MD

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Antipyretic Treatment in Young Children With Fever: Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, or Both Alternating in a Randomized, Double-blind Study
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Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2006;160(2):197-202.
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