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Effect of prophylactic acetaminophen administration on reaction to DTP vaccination
M Uhari1, J Hietala, M K Viljanen
1Department of Paediatrics, University of Oulu, Finland.
Insights
Acetaminophen did not prevent fever after infant vaccinations. This study found no significant difference in temperature or adverse reactions between infants who received acetaminophen or a placebo post-vaccination.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Post-vaccination fever is a common concern in infants.
- Acetaminophen is frequently used to manage fever and pain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of a single dose of acetaminophen in preventing post-vaccination fever and other symptoms in infants.
Main Methods:
- A double-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted.
- Infants received either placebo or 75 mg of acetaminophen after vaccination.
- Rectal temperatures were monitored by parents.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in mean rectal temperatures was observed between the acetaminophen and placebo groups.
- No significant differences in minor adverse reactions or antibody titers were found.
Conclusions:
- A single dose of acetaminophen is ineffective in reducing post-vaccination fever in infants.
- Further research may be needed to explore alternative or combination strategies.
Abstract:
The effectiveness of acetaminophen in preventing post-vaccination fever was studied in a double-blind randomized manner. Healthy five-month-old infants vaccinated with diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) or DTP-inactivated polio vaccine were randomly allocated to receive either placebo (n = 130) or 75 mg of acetaminophen (n = 133) four hours after the vaccination. Rectal temperatures of the infants were measured in the post-vaccination evening and next morning by the parents. The mean values of rectal temperatures were equal in both groups, i.e. 37.6 degrees C, both in the evening and in the morning. No significant difference was found in the occurrence of other minor adverse reactions. Antibody titres to diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and pertussis bacteria of the placebo (n = 25) and acetaminophen (n = 34) groups did not differ significantly from each other. It is concluded that acetaminophen in a single dose schedule is ineffective in decreasing post-vaccination fever and other symptoms.