PURPOSE: To analyse antipyretics (APs) prescriptions profile in children, particularly the frequency of AP combinations. METHODS: APs (acetylsalicylic acid, paracetamol, ibuprofen or ketoprofen) prescribed to children below 12 years and refunded by a public health insurer in 2003, throughout France, were examined. RESULTS: A total of 513 034 prescriptions were refunded for 240 720 children. The mean number of AP prescriptions per child was the highest in children aged 6 months to 2 years. Paracetamol was the main AP prescribed, but its prescription declined with age, from 90.8% below 3 months old to 57.4% between 6 and 12 years old. Ibuprofen-only prescriptions were rare below 3 months and maximal between 2 and 6 years. The ibuprofen/paracetamol combination was prescribed from 6 months old, and its frequency was maximal between 2 and 6 years old (21.7%). CONCLUSIONS: The clear predominance of paracetamol prescriptions suggests that French prescribers are relatively aware of the relative risk-benefit ratio of the different APs. Studies are required to determine if the APs are prescribed to be used alternately or when a monotherapy fails. Guidelines to manage fever in children are needed in France to restrict APs combination to the case of paracetamol failure.
PURPOSE: To analyse antipyretics (APs) prescriptions profile in children, particularly the frequency of AP combinations. METHODS: APs (acetylsalicylic acid, paracetamol, ibuprofen or ketoprofen) prescribed to children below 12 years and refunded by a public health insurer in 2003, throughout France, were examined. RESULTS: A total of 513 034 prescriptions were refunded for 240 720 children. The mean number of AP prescriptions per child was the highest in children aged 6 months to 2 years. Paracetamol was the main AP prescribed, but its prescription declined with age, from 90.8% below 3 months old to 57.4% between 6 and 12 years old. Ibuprofen-only prescriptions were rare below 3 months and maximal between 2 and 6 years. The ibuprofen/paracetamol combination was prescribed from 6 months old, and its frequency was maximal between 2 and 6 years old (21.7%). CONCLUSIONS: The clear predominance of paracetamol prescriptions suggests that French prescribers are relatively aware of the relative risk-benefit ratio of the different APs. Studies are required to determine if the APs are prescribed to be used alternately or when a monotherapy fails. Guidelines to manage fever in children are needed in France to restrict APs combination to the case of paracetamol failure.
Authors: Ammar Kazouini; Baba S Mohammed; Colin R Simpson; Peter J Helms; James S McLay Journal: Br J Clin Pharmacol Date: 2011-09 Impact factor: 4.335