Is acetaminophen as effective as an antihistamine-decongestant-acetaminophen combination in relieving symptoms of acute nasopharyngitis in children? A randomised, controlled trial.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

To determine the efficiency of drugs, which include antihistaminic-decongestant-acetaminophen agents versus only acetaminophen in symptomatic treatment of acute nasopharyngitis in children.

METHODS:

This clinical, randomized, controlled, single blind drug efficacy comparison research was conducted in 148 patients with acute nasopharyngitis between ages 2 and 12 years. After randomization, Group-1 consisted of cases (n: 86), which used OTC drugs [acetaminophen+diphenhydramine+pseudoephedrin] and Group-2 consisted of cases (n: 62), which used only acetaminophen. After receiving nasal swab for showing the viral etiology, symptoms were scored clinically on admission and then on 10 days follow-up period, and re-evaluated on the third and fifth days of the drug therapy with the same scoring scale. Any complications were noted during the 1-month follow-up period after taking the drugs.

RESULTS:

The virus isolation rate in Group-1 was 27.9% and in Group-2 was 22.6%. At the first day of study, before medication, clinic scores of the groups did not show a significant difference (Group-1 1.7 versus Group-2 2.0). Clinic scores in both groups on the third (Group-1 4.0 versus Group-2 4.1) and fifth days of therapy (Group-1 1.7 versus Group-2 2.0) were not different either. Also, the complication rate was not different during the 1-month follow-up period (Group-1 2.3% versus Group-2 8.0%, p: 0.12). The family response for the drug satisfaction in both groups was similar and positive.

CONCLUSION:

For relieving symptoms of acute nasopharyngitis in children, acetaminophen without any combination is as effective as OTC drugs containing acetaminophen, decongestant, and antihistaminics.

• Authors: Emin Unuvar, Ismail Yildiz, Ayse Kilic, Sadik Toprak, Seyhan Selvi Aslan, Salih Aydin, Selim Badur, Fatma Oguz, Mujgan Sidal
• Journal: International journal of pediatric otorhinolaryngology (Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol) Vol. 71 Issue 8 Pg. 1277-85 (Aug 2007) ISSN: 0165-5876 [Print] Ireland
• PMID: 17560664 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Analgesics, Non-Narcotic
• Drug Combinations
• Histamine H1 Antagonists
• Nasal Decongestants
• Nonprescription Drugs
• Vasoconstrictor Agents
• Acetaminophen
• Diphenhydramine
• Ephedrine

Topics

• Acetaminophen (therapeutic use)
• Acute Disease
• Analgesics, Non-Narcotic (therapeutic use)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Diphenhydramine (therapeutic use)
• Drug Combinations
• Ephedrine (therapeutic use)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Histamine H1 Antagonists (therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Male
• Nasal Decongestants (therapeutic use)
• Nasopharyngitis (drug therapy)
• Nonprescription Drugs (therapeutic use)
• Vasoconstrictor Agents (therapeutic use)