Consumption habits and antipyretics preferences in patients in our setting

Objective: to describe the preferences and tendencies in the consume of antipyretics, as well as evaluate how the parents of our patients face up to treat fever. Patients and methods: data were collected using a survey filled by the parents of 107 patients whose ages ranged from 6 months to 10 years. A descriptive analysis of the aimed variables was made and frequency of each answer was estimated. Results: 92% of parents have sometime offered an ibuprofen (Dalsy®) to their children, and 98% have given an acetaminophen (Apiretal®). Among the children who had consumed ibuprofen, 65% liked its flavour and 23% disliked it. Those who had tried acetaminophen, 61% liked his flavour and 22% disliked it. 73% of parents noticed differences of efficacy of antipyretics. 63% of them think ibuprofen is more effective than acetaminophen, and 26% think acetaminophen is more effective than ibuprofen. Most of parents (84%) prefer to give an specific antipyretic to their children. 55% of them prefer ibuprofen and 38% prefer acetaminophen. 49% alternate two antipyretics and 91% use physical measures. Conclusions: ibuprofen and acetaminophen, widely consumed by our children, are both nice-flavoured. Both drugs monopolise the current pharmaceutical market of fever in children. Parentslead their preferences to the ibuprofen mentioned. In almost half cases the parents alternate two antipyretics. In most of the feverish situations, they also use physical measures.