Abstract:

In the present study, we retrospectively analyzed 105 382 prescriptions of antipyretic drugs for children (0–14 years of age) in the outpatient and emergency departments of Ningbo Women and Children’s Hospital from January to December 2019. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen are relatively safe and the most commonly used drugs in daily life. Due to different dosage forms, there are acetaminophen suspension drops, acetaminophen oral solution, ibuprofen suspension, and ibuprofen suppositories for children. Through investigation, we found that the age of antipyretic drugs used by children in our hospital ranged from 3 months to 14 years old, which could be divided into two groups: single drug use and alternating use of ibuprofen and acetaminophen, with an alternating use rate of 3.19%. There were differences between the two groups in terms of age, gender, the proportion of emergency departments use, and the amount of single prescription (P < 0.05). The age of the alternating use group was younger, and the male proportion, the proportion of emergency departments use, single prescription amount of the alternating use group were higher. In the alternating use group, ibuprofen and acetaminophen of different dosage forms were used alternatively. After pair comparison analysis, they only had an age difference (P < 0.008), which was in line with the principle that different dosage forms are suitable for different ages. The method of alternation with ibuprofen and acetaminophen is mainly used in the emergency departments and children of younger age because most of the children have a refractory fever, which is complicated and changes relatively fast. There was no record of adverse reactions about alternation of ibuprofen and acetaminophen in the software system of adverse reactions. However, this study was a retrospective analysis, and there were risks of missing records. Therefore, alternating use of ibuprofen and acetaminophen still couldn’t ignore the risk of adverse reactions.

Key words: Children, Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen, Alternation