Efficacy of combined antipyretic drug in the treatment of acute respiratory diseases

Aim. To evaluate efficacy of combined antipyretic drug in the treatment of acute respiratory diseases.

Methods. 97 children aged 3 to 6 years admitted in 2014-2015 were observed. Children were divided into 3 groups: in group 1 (23 children) paracetamol with single dose 10 to 15 mg/kg was administered, in group 2 (36 children) ibuprofen (single dose 6-10 mg/kg) was used, in group 3 (38 patients) combined antipyretic drug (100 mg of paracetamol and 125 mg of ibuprofen) was administered with daily dose not exceeding 3 tablets for less than 3 days. Clinical and instrumental and laboratory studies were performed in all children, specialists’ consultations were administered if necessary. Compliance (number of refusal to take medication because of inefficacy, intolerance of a drug or dissatisfaction with organoleptic properties of a drug) was assessed by parents’ surveys. Satisfaction with the results of treatment with a combined drug was evaluated by patients’ parents by means of integral scale IMPSS. Verification of certain etiologic factors was performed by means of direct immunofluorescence assay of nasal smear.

Results. As a result of the study it was found that among the etiologic factors of acute respiratory diseases of observed patients parainfluenza viruses and adenoviruses were predominant. When the combined drug was used, almost all parents were sure of children’s treatment safety. Administration of the combined drug was associated with faster and persistent fever reduction and decrease of children’s hospital stay. Due to long-term normal temperature when treated with combined drug children had better well-being, that positively influenced their sleep. In groups 1 and 2 with separately administered paracetamol and ibuprofen 28.3% of parents were unsatisfied with the medication while among the parents, whose children received a combination of ibuprofen and paracetamol, only 5.3% were unsatisfied (p <0.05 in comparison with groups 1 and 2).

Conclusion. Combined medication of ibuprofen and paracetamol approved itself to be safe and effective for fever reduction in children with acute respiratory diseases.