HPA advice on antipyretics does not contradict NICE

doi:10.1136/bmj.b3501

Published 1 September 2009, doi:10.1136/bmj.b3501
Cite this as: BMJ 2009;339:b3501

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A/H1N1 flu

HPA advice on antipyretics does not contradict NICE

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Johnson argues that advice on antipyretics from the Health ProtectionAgency (HPA) contradicts the guideline on the management offeverish illness in children from the National Institute forHealth and Clinical Excellence (NICE).¹

In its full guideline NICE recommends that antipyretic agentsshould be considered in children with a fever who appear distressedor unwell—reflecting, no doubt, the current practice ofmany health professionals and parents and carers.

HPA guidance is not at variance with this and simply notes thatparacetamol and ibuprofen (two commonly used analgesic and antipyreticdrugs) are indicated for pyrexia and pain. It does not recommendtheir routine use, but accepts that they have their place inappropriate cases. More importantly, the guidance points outthat aspirin should not be used in children under 16 years oldand cautions the use of either paracetamol or ibuprofen in certainpatient groups.

Cite this as: BMJ 2009;339:b3501

Justin McCracken, chief executive officer¹

¹ Health Protection Agency, London WC1V 7PP

rachel.scott@hpa.org.uk

Competing . . . [Full text of this article]

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