[Paracetamol and other antipyretic analgesics: optimal doses in pediatrics]

Acetaminophen is a safe antipyretic therapy prescribed in children. The dosage usually applied in France ranges from 20 to 30 mg/kg/d, which is low and probably with little efficiency in many cases. From the data of the literature the optimal dosage seems to be 65 mg/kg/d using a 25 mg/kg loading dose, followed by a 12.5 mg/kg every 6 hours maintenance dose. The analgesic effect of a 15 mg/kg oral dose has been also demonstrated. Aspirin is equally effective, especially for rheumatic disorders, but its use is limited by adverse reactions. The other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have a limited interest.