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

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.