Acetaminophen and ibuprofen: fever control and overdose.

Fever has been recognized as a sign of disease for centuries. Health care professionals and parents frequently search for new methods of pediatric fever control. Current research suggests that prostaglandins play an important role in fever production. As antipyretics, both acetaminophen and ibuprofen are effective in fever reduction by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis. In this article, the pathophysiology of fever is discussed as a foundation for understanding fever management. The metabolic pathways of both agents are compared as they relate to fever control; the common side effects and nursing management for acute overdoses are discussed.