Oral antipyretic therapy. Evaluation of mefenamic acid (short communication).

The capacity of N-(2,3-xylyl)anthranilic acid (mefenamic acid) to reduce fever in children was compared with that of acetylsalicylic acid, paracetamol and amino-phenazone. The series of cases consisted of 71 patients in the age range from 3 months to 15 years and with rectal temperatures above 38.5 degrees C. Temperatures were recorded at 15 and 30 min, and 1, 2, 4 and 6 h after challenge with the drug. The antipyretic effect of mefenamic acid in a dose of 4 mg/kg was optimal: it was 2.5 times that of acetyl-salicylic acid or paracetamol and nearly similar to that of aminophenazone. It seems possible that the antipyretic effect of mefenamic acid is stronger than its anti-inflammatory and analgetic properties.