A randomised controlled trial of the combined use of paracetamol and ibuprofen to treat febrile children

ISRCTN ISRCTN21521538
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN21521538
Secondary identifying numbers N0264160475
Submission date
30/09/2005
Registration date
30/09/2005
Last edited
10/04/2012
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Signs and Symptoms
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Not provided at time of registration

Contact information

Dr MDS Erlewyn-Lajeunesse
Scientific

C/O Research & Effectiveness Department
Level 1, The Old Building
Bristol Royal Infirmary
Malborough Street
Bristol
BS2 8HW
United Kingdom

Phone +44 (0)117 928 3473
Email r&eoffice@ubht.swest.nhs.uk

Study information

Study designRandomised controlled trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Not specified
Study typeNot Specified
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet
Scientific title
Study objectivesTo ascertain whether using paracetamol and ibuprofen in combination is better than using either alone when treating children with fever in the setting of an emergency department.
Ethics approval(s)Not provided at time of registration
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedFever
InterventionUnblinded but RCT. Children presenting at the children's emergency department with fever will be invited to take part. Those with a temperature greater than or equal to 38.0 degrees C will be enrolled subject to consent.

Subjects will be allocated at random to one of three treatment arms:
1. Ibuprofen alone (5mg/kg)
2. Paracetamol alone (15 mg/kg)
3. Ibuprofen (5mg/kg) & Paracetamol (15 mg/kg)

Subjects will receive a single treatment. Temperature will be recorded at dosage, 1 hour later and if still in the department, 2 hours later.
Intervention typeOther
Primary outcome measureThe child's temperature one hour after study antipyretics
Secondary outcome measuresNot provided at time of registration
Overall study start date01/10/2004
Completion date04/04/2005

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupChild
Lower age limit6 Months
Upper age limit16 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants120
Key inclusion criteriaChildren presenting in the BRI children's emergency department with fever. Inclusion criteria:
1. Age 6 months - 16 years
2. Children with a temperature of 38.0 degrees C or more will be eligible
Key exclusion criteria1. Those admitted directly to resuscitation by ambulance or those transferred there following initial clinical assessment
2. Those eligible for recruitment in any other study running concurrently or those who have been recruited to a simultaneous study of children's fever
3. Prior administration that will interfere with randomisation: paracetamol within the last six hours or ibuprofen within the last six hours
4. Allergy to either study drug
5. Likely dehydration, cellulitis or skin infection, concomitant warfarin or heparin, chronic illness likely to interfere with drug metabolism (kidney or liver disease), immunosuppression, HIV+, concomitant chemo or radiotherapy, organ or bone marrow transplant recipient, immunosuppressive therapy in the last three months
Date of first enrolment01/10/2004
Date of final enrolment04/04/2005

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • England
  • United Kingdom

Study participating centre

C/O Research & Effectiveness Department
Bristol
BS2 8HW
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

Record Provided by the NHSTCT Register - 2005 Update - Department of Health (UK)
Government

The Department of Health
Richmond House
79 Whitehall
London
SW1A 2NL
United Kingdom

Phone +44 (0)20 7307 2622
Email dhmail@doh.gsi.org.uk
Website http://www.dh.gov.uk/Home/fs/en

Funders

Funder type

Government

United Bristol Healthcare NHS Trust (UK)

No information available

NHS R&D Support Funding (UK)

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryNot provided at time of registration
Publication and dissemination planNot provided at time of registration
IPD sharing plan

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Results article results 01/05/2006 Yes No