Open Access Original

Article DOI: 10.7759/cureus.46907

Comparing the Efficacy of Paracetamol,

Ibuprofen, and a Combination of the Two Drugs
Received 09/09/2023
in Relieving Pain and Fever in the Pediatric Age
Review began 09/13/2023
Review ended 10/08/2023 Group: A Prospective Observational Study
Published 10/12/2023
Vivek Charde 1, 2 , Mukesh Sanklecha 2 , Priyank Rajan 3 , Ravi V. Sangoi 4 , Prashanth A 5 , Amisha Palande 6
© Copyright 2023
, Pranav Dighe 7 , Ruchi Kothari 5 , Gaurav Mittal 8, 9, 10
Charde et al. This is an open access article
distributed under the terms of the Creative
Commons Attribution License CC-BY 4.0., 1. Pediatrics and Child Health, Bhanukrupa Hospital, Nagpur, IND 2. Pediatrics and Child Health, Bombay Hospital,
which permits unrestricted use, distribution, Mumbai, IND 3. Pediatrics and Child Health, SRCC (Society for Rehabilitation of Crippled Children) Children's
and reproduction in any medium, provided
Hospital, Mumbai, IND 4. Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Government Medical
the original author and source are credited.
College, Baramati, IND 5. Physiology, Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Wardha, IND 6. Physiology,
Terna Medical College, Navi Mumbai, IND 7. Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical
Sciences, Wardha, IND 8. Research and Development, Rotaract Club of Indian Medicos, Mumbai, IND 9. Research,
Student Network Organization, Mumbai, IND 10. Internal Medicine, Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences,
Wardha, IND

Corresponding author: Prashanth A, [email protected]

Abstract
Introduction
Fever and pain are common afflictions in the pediatric population, prompting the use of paracetamol and
ibuprofen as primary treatment options. However, a comprehensive understanding of their comparative
efficacy, safety profiles, and potential combined use remains crucial for informed clinical decision-making.
In this prospective observational study, we aimed to delve into these aspects, shedding light on the optimal
management strategies for fever and pain in pediatric patients.

Methodology
A total of 108 children were enrolled and categorized into three groups, namely, paracetamol monotherapy,
ibuprofen monotherapy, and a combination of both drugs. Axillary temperature monitoring and assessment
of pain on the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Controllability (FLACC) scale/Visual Analog Scale (VAS) were
employed as critical indicators. Concurrently, associated symptoms encompassing discomfort, activity
levels, and appetite were meticulously recorded. To ensure safety, laboratory parameters including serum
glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), serum creatinine,
platelet count, and stool for occult blood were closely monitored before and after drug administration. The
study duration spanned 48 hours post-initiation of the initial drug dose.

Results
A total of 108 pediatric cases were included in the study, spanning ages from six months to 18 years. Among
them, the majority fell within the age group of six months to five years (n = 77). Participants were
categorized based on the duration of fever, with 81 cases having a fever lasting more than 24 hours and 27
cases having a fever lasting less than 24 hours. The majority of cases presented with temperatures ranging
from 38°C to 39°C. Comparison of drug efficacy in defervescence within the first four hours revealed that
paracetamol alone took significantly longer than ibuprofen monotherapy or the paracetamol and ibuprofen
combination (p = 0.026). In terms of the onset of effect, the paracetamol and ibuprofen combination showed
comparable efficacy to ibuprofen alone.

Regarding the total time without fever in 48 hours, significant differences were observed among the three
drug regimens (p = 0.001 by the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test). Paracetamol and ibuprofen
were superior to paracetamol alone (p < 0.001) and ibuprofen alone (p = 0.014), while paracetamol alone and
ibuprofen alone exhibited similar efficacy (p = 0.197). Based on the laboratory results as well as the clinical
profile observed over 48 hours, we confirm safety based on this study. The combination of paracetamol and
ibuprofen showed enhanced effectiveness in fever and pain relief.

Conclusion
This study demonstrates the favourable efficacy of paracetamol, ibuprofen, and their combination in the
pediatric population. The combination of paracetamol and ibuprofen showed enhanced effectiveness in
fever and pain relief, with minimal adverse effects and no significant derangements in biochemical
parameters. This study thus contributes valuable insights to optimize the therapeutic approach to fever and
pain in pediatric patients.

How to cite this article

Charde V, Sanklecha M, Rajan P, et al. (October 12, 2023) Comparing the Efficacy of Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, and a Combination of the Two
Drugs in Relieving Pain and Fever in the Pediatric Age Group: A Prospective Observational Study. Cureus 15(10): e46907. DOI
10.7759/cureus.46907
 Categories: Pediatrics, Pain Management, Therapeutics
Keywords: paracetamol, ibuprofen and paracetamol combination therapy, drug efficacy, ibuprofen, pain, fever

Introduction
Fever has been a characteristic of disease since the beginning of recorded history. It is commonly believed
that fever aids the host in the fight against infection. There is no doubt about the effectiveness of fever
therapy, which was originally employed to treat neurosyphilis. Failure to develop fever in the context of a
severe infection has also been shown to indicate a poor prognosis [1]. However, in the majority of these
cases, the lack of fever is most likely due to circulatory collapse, and mortality occurs as a result of this
complication rather than the lack of benefit imparted by a feverish response to the infected host. There are
arguments for and against fever's utility, and the topic is divisive [2]. The importance of fever as a clinical,
diagnostic, and prognostic sign of disease, particularly infectious disease, cannot be emphasized adequately.
But it is noteworthy that for most people, and especially parents, fever is a bad sign that should be
prevented. Schmitt coined the phrase "fever phobia" to describe this concern. This includes brain damage,
seizures, death, coma, and blindness [3]. However, it is widely acknowledged that high fevers (higher than
40.5°C) can cause dehydration, delirium, focal lesions in specific organs, cardiac strain, and nutrient
imbalance in the host. Even mild fevers can be dangerous if they last too long (the duration depends upon
the severity of the illness). As a result, fevers of any severity may pose a risk to some patient groups and
should be avoided [4].

Pain, along with fever, forms a part of the four cardinal signs of inflammation as enunciated by Celsus,
namely, heat, redness, swelling, and pain. Hence, more often than not, pain and fever are found to occur
together, and thus, there was a need for a single drug that could give relief. Acetanilide was the first aniline
derivative discovered to have analgesic and antipyretic qualities, and it was introduced into medical practice
in 1886 by A. Cahn and P. Hepp under the name Antifebrin (Kalle & Company, Biebrich, Germany) [5]. In
1877, Johns Hopkins University's Harmon Northrop Morse developed paracetamol [6]. Sterling Winthrop,
Inc. was the first to commercialize paracetamol in the United States in 1953, promoting it as a safer
alternative to aspirin for children and individuals with ulcers [7]. During the 1960s, the research arm of the
Boots Group (Boots UK Limited, Nottingham, United Kingdom) developed ibuprofen from propionic acid [8].

In this study, we attempt to compare the efficacy of paracetamol, ibuprofen, and a combination of the two
drugs in relieving pain and fever and establish the best pharmacological modalities to manage the two most
common complaints in clinical practice: fever and pain.

Materials And Methods

Study design and setting
This was a prospective observational study. The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in
Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines were used for reporting and preparing the manuscript. The total study
duration was 24 months. The study was performed in the Department of Pediatrics at Bombay Hospital
Institute of Medical Sciences, Mumbai, Maharastra, India.

Study population and selection criteria

The sample size was estimated using OpenEpi 3.01 statistical software (Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA) assuming a confidence level of 95%, a study power of 80%, and an alpha
of 0.05. The calculated sample size came out to be 98. However, a sample size of 108 was taken to
accommodate dropouts.

Admitted patients in the age group of six months to 18 years, having fever or pain or both, in whom
administration of paracetamol or ibuprofen was not contraindicated, were selected. Children having a
history of drug allergy to these drugs or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and children
taking paracetamol, ibuprofen, or other NSAIDs regularly on a long-term basis such as malignancy, sickle
cell crisis, postoperative surgical conditions, peripheral neuralgia, and rheumatological conditions were
excluded from the study.

Subjects suffering from or having a history of comorbidities such as heart diseases, any kind of electrolyte
imbalance, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, respiratory, hepatic, renal, or neurological impairment, and
endocrine disorders, and taking any hormonal therapy were excluded from the study.

Written consent was obtained or waived by all participants and parents (since it was a minor age group) in
this study. The Bombay Hospital Scientific Committee, Mumbai, India, approved the study (approval
number: RES/MRC-2019 dated November 3, 2020).

Data sources
On admission, demographic data (age, sex), relevant clinical history, and vital parameters such as
respiratory rate, temperature, heart rate, and oxygen saturation were noted. Then they were allotted

2023 Charde et al. Cureus 15(10): e46907. DOI 10.7759/cureus.46907 2 of 7

 randomly to one of the three drug-receiving groups, i.e., paracetamol, ibuprofen, or paracetamol and
ibuprofen. Paracetamol was given at the dose of 15 mg/kg/dose four times a day (QID) and ibuprofen at the
dose of 10 mg/kg/dose thrice a day (TDS). Baseline axillary temperature (in all age groups) and pain on the
Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Controllability (FLACC) scale (in the age group of six months to six years) and
Visual Analog Scale (VAS) (in the age group of six years to 18 years) were recorded before giving the drug to
the child. Thereafter, temperature was assessed every half-hourly until the first four hours and then at two-
hourly intervals up to 48 hours. Pain was assessed every two hours for the first four hours and then at four-
hourly intervals. The associated symptoms like discomfort, activity, appetite, and sleep were also noted
before giving the drug. These were reassessed after 48 hours. Also, investigations like serum glutamic
oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), serum creatinine, platelet
count, and stool for occult blood were sent to the laboratory before giving the first dose of the drug, and
these were repeated after 48 hours. The associated symptoms and adverse effects were kept in check to keep
the subject in stable condition.

Statistical analysis
The data was normally distributed. All quantitative variables were described using mean and standard
deviation. They were analyzed using the t-test for two groups and the analysis of variance (ANOVA) test for
more than two groups. All qualitative data were described using frequency and percentages. They were
analyzed using the chi-squared test or Fisher exact test as applicable. A p-value less than 0.05 was
considered statistically significant as per two-tailed tests.

Results
Demographic data
The study included a total of 108 cases having complaints of either fever or pain or both, with ages ranging
from six months to 18 years. The maximum number of patients belongs to the age group of six months to
five years (n = 77). Overall, males (n = 67) outnumbered females (n = 41). Similarly in each group, males were
more than females.

We divided our patients into two groups depending on the duration of fever, i.e., less than 24 hours and
more than 24 hours. In our study, the maximum number of patients had a fever of more than 24 hours (n =
81), and only a few had a fever of less than 24 hours (n = 27). In our study, we included cases having
temperatures more than 38°C. Most of the cases had temperatures in the range of 38-39°C on admission.
The demographic data is depicted in Table 1.

Drug given

PCM Ibu PCM + Ibu Total

Count Count Count Count

<5 years 27 23 27 77

5-10 years 6 7 6 19
Age categories
>10 years 3 6 3 12

Total 36 36 36 108

TABLE 1: Age distribution and drug administration

PCM: paracetamol; Ibu: ibuprofen

Major outcomes and results

Efficacy of Drugs for Relieving Fever

We observed the efficacy of drugs in relieving fever by observing the time required for defervescence in the
first four hours and time without fever in 48 hours. The results are depicted in Table 2.

2023 Charde et al. Cureus 15(10): e46907. DOI 10.7759/cureus.46907 3 of 7

 Drug given

Paracetamol Ibuprofen Paracetamol + ibuprofen

Standard Standard Standard

Mean Mean Mean p-value
deviation deviation deviation

Time for defervescence in the first four hours (in

2.15 1.09 1.58 0.99 1.58 0.95 0.026
hours)

TABLE 2: Time required for defervescence in the first four hours in three groups

Paracetamol alone took a significantly longer time for defervescence in the first four hours as compared to
ibuprofen alone or combined (p = 0.026). However, ibuprofen was as efficacious as its combination.

There is a significant difference between the three drug regimens with respect to time without fever in 48
hours (p = 0.001 by the one-way ANOVA test). Further individual analysis shows that the paracetamol and
ibuprofen combination is clearly superior to paracetamol alone (p < 0.001 by the unpaired t-test) and
ibuprofen alone (p = 0.014 by the unpaired t-test). Paracetamol alone is statistically similar in reducing fever
at 48 hours as compared to ibuprofen alone (p = 0.197 by the unpaired t-test). The results of the same have
been depicted in Table 3.

Drug given

Paracetamol Ibuprofen Paracetamol + ibuprofen p-value

Mean Standard deviation Mean Standard deviation Mean Standard deviation

Time without fever in 48 hours (in hours) 36.00 8.60 38.72 9.14 42.82 3.54 0.001

TABLE 3: Total time without fever in 48 hours

Efficacy of Drugs for Relieving Pain

We recorded the duration of the pain, i.e., less than 24 hours or more than 24 hours, and plotted the
intensity on the FLACC scale/VAS. We included a total of 30 patients for this study. Most of the patients had
complained of pain for more than 24 hours (n = 23). We calculated the efficacy of drugs in relieving pain by
plotting the scores on the FLACC scale/VAS and comparing the decrement in the score after four hours and
48 hours. The same has been depicted in Table 4.

Drug given p-value

Paracetamol Ibuprofen Paracetamol + ibuprofen

Mean ± standard deviation Mean ± standard deviation Mean ± standard deviation

Pain relief in the first four hours (in hours) 2.00 ± 1 3.00 ± 2 4.00 ± 1 0.011

Pain relief in 48 hours 5.00 ± 1 6.00 ± 1 7.00 ± 1 0.018

TABLE 4: Pain relief in the first four hours and at 48 hours (in concordance with the FLACC
scale/VAS)
FLACC: Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Controllability; VAS: Visual Analog Scale

Pain relief was significantly higher in the paracetamol and ibuprofen group both in the first four hours (p =
0.011) and at 48 hours (p = 0.018) as compared to either drug alone. However, this doesn’t represent a
clinically significant difference as the difference in the VAS score is only one point with less variability.

2023 Charde et al. Cureus 15(10): e46907. DOI 10.7759/cureus.46907 4 of 7

 We observed that paracetamol, ibuprofen, or their combination, even after round-the-clock use, does
not cause a significant reduction in platelet count. Also, there was no increase in SGOT, SGPT, or serum
creatinine levels. Also, stool for occult blood was positive in very few cases after the drug use. Thus, we
conclude that any of these drugs or their combination does not cause derangement in biochemical
parameters.

Discussion
In our study, we included a total of 108 patients with complaints of fever and/or pain, and they were allotted
to either of the three drug-receiving groups, viz., paracetamol, ibuprofen, or paracetamol and ibuprofen
combination.

We included patients in the age group of six months to 18 years. However, most of the patients were in the
age group of six months to five years. The mean age was 3.74 years in the paracetamol group, 4.80 years in
the ibuprofen group, and 4.02 years in the paracetamol and ibuprofen combination group. This was in
concordance with the studies performed by McIntyre and Hull [9], Autret et al. [10], Aksoylar et al. [11],
Kramer et al. [12], and Hay et al. [13] which showed a commonality among our age groups. However, the
studies done by Hämäläinen et al. [14], Harley and Dattolo [15], and Bradley et al. [16] included patients from
higher age groups.

In the current study, overall males (n = 67; 62%) outnumbered females (n = 41; 38%). In the paracetamol
group, males were 69% and females were 31%; in the ibuprofen group, males were 69% and females were
31%; and in the paracetamol and ibuprofen combination group, males were 56% and females were 44%. The
studies conducted by McIntyre and Hull [9] and Hay et al. [13] also had male predominance.

We included children having axillary temperatures more than 38°C or oral temperatures more than 37.5°C.
Most of the admitted cases had temperatures in the range of 38-39°C. The average temperature in the
paracetamol group was 38.4 ± 0.53°C; in the ibuprofen group, 38.4 ± 0.54°C; and in the paracetamol and
ibuprofen combination group, 38.32 ± 0.39°C.

We inferred the efficacy of the drug by observing the time required for defervescence after giving the first
dose. The mean time for defervescence was more for paracetamol alone as compared to ibuprofen alone or in
combination. From this observation, ibuprofen alone or in combination with paracetamol is more effective
in relieving fever in the first four hours than paracetamol alone (p = 0.026). The studies done by Autret et al.
[10], Aksoylar et al. [11], Purssell [17], Goldman et al. [18], Erlewyn‐Lajeunesse et al. [19], Gazal and Mackie
[20], Hay et al. [13], and Pierce and Voss [21] are in concordance with the above findings. However, studies
done by Joshi et al. [22], McIntyre and Hull [9], Carabaño Aguado et al. [23], and Autret-Leca et al. [24] differ
from the above findings. According to these studies, the efficacy of both paracetamol and ibuprofen is equal.

However, ibuprofen alone is as efficacious as its combination with paracetamol in reducing temperature in
the first four hours, and there is no statistical difference in their efficacy. The above findings are in
concordance with the studies done by Erlewyn‐Lajeunesse et al. [19] and Hay et al. [13].

We gave the drugs for 48 hours and compared their efficacy by observing the time spent without fever during
these 48 hours. The mean time without fever was 36 ± 8.60 hours for paracetamol, 38.72 ± 9.12 hours for
ibuprofen, and 42.82 ± 3.54 hours for paracetamol and ibuprofen combination. On statistical analysis, we
observed that the paracetamol and ibuprofen combination is clearly superior to paracetamol alone (p <
0.001) as well as to ibuprofen alone (p = 0.014). We also observed that paracetamol alone is statistically
similar in reducing fever at 48 hours as compared to ibuprofen alone (p = 0.197). The study done by Autret-
Leca et al. [24] has similar findings. However, a study performed by Hay et al. [13] differs from our findings.

To compare the efficacy of the drugs in reducing pain, we plotted pain intensity on the FLACC scale/VAS on
admission and compared the reduction of the points at four hours and 48 hours. We observed that a
maximum reduction in pain score was observed in the paracetamol and ibuprofen group at the end of four
hours (4 ± 1) and at the end of 48 hours (7 ± 1). Also, ibuprofen alone has reduced pain scores (3 ± 2) at the
end of four hours and (6 ± 1) at the end of 48 hours which is more than paracetamol alone, i.e., (2 ± 1) at the
end of 4 hours and (5 ± 1) at the end of 48 hours. Thus, from the above observation, we concluded that the
ibuprofen and paracetamol combination is better than paracetamol or ibuprofen used alone in relieving pain
at four hours and at 48 hours. Also, ibuprofen alone is slightly better than paracetamol alone in relieving
pain. The studies done by Hämäläinen et al. [14], Gazal and Mackie [20], and Bradley et al. [16] match with
the above findings. However, trials performed by Harley and Dattolo [15] and Shepherd and Aickin [25] had
different observations.

Apart from having credible outcomes, this study had a few limitations. The cause of fever or pain and the
medications to treat the cause weren't considered. Interactions of those drugs with paracetamol and
ibuprofen could have also been considered, although it didn't prove confounding for the present study as
there were no complications observed in patients. Adverse effects or side effects of these drugs can be
studied separately.

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 Conclusions
Thus, from the above results, we conclude that for the relief of fever, ibuprofen alone should be used initially
and if the fever persists, then the ibuprofen and paracetamol combination will be an optimal choice. For the
relief of pain, the combination of ibuprofen and paracetamol should be used. Hence, as per observations
from this study, though ibuprofen was more effective, it does not demerit the use of paracetamol, which can
still be used in low- to moderate-grade fever as per conventional practices. However, using ibuprofen should
be considered, if there is an initial high fever or paracetamol is not as effective.

Additional Information
Author Contributions
All authors have reviewed the final version to be published and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the
work.

Acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data: Gaurav Mittal, Vivek Charde, Mukesh Sanklecha,
Priyank Rajan, Prashanth A, Amisha Palande, Ravi V. Sangoi

Critical review of the manuscript for important intellectual content: Gaurav Mittal, Mukesh
Sanklecha, Priyank Rajan, Prashanth A, Amisha Palande, Ravi V. Sangoi, Pranav Dighe

Concept and design: Vivek Charde, Ruchi Kothari, Pranav Dighe

Drafting of the manuscript: Vivek Charde, Mukesh Sanklecha, Priyank Rajan, Ruchi Kothari, Prashanth A,
Ravi V. Sangoi, Pranav Dighe

Supervision: Mukesh Sanklecha, Ruchi Kothari, Pranav Dighe

Disclosures
Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Bombay Hospital
Scientific Committee issued approval RES/MRC-2019. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that
this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE
uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: The authors would like
to acknowledge and thank the Bombay Hospital Institute of Medical Sciences, Mumbai, for granting a fund
of Rs. 1,50,000. The project was successfully completed under this program. A report was duly submitted and
approved by the granting body. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no
financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have
an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other
relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Acknowledgements
The authors would like to acknowledge and thank the Bombay Hospital Institute of Medical
Sciences, Mumbai, for granting a fund of Rs. 1,50,000. The project was successfully completed under this
program. A report was duly submitted and approved by the granting body.

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