Ibuprofen tied to better pain, fever outcomes than acetaminophen in kids under 2

Ibuprofen is associated with better fever reduction and less pain than acetaminophen in infants and toddlers, with similar levels of safety, suggests a meta-analysis in JAMA Network Open.

Researchers analysed 19 trials comparing acetaminophen and ibuprofen among 240,000 patients under age 2.

Compared with acetaminophen, ibuprofen was associated with lower temperature between 0 and 24 hours after the first treatment and less pain between 4 and 24 hours. None of the studies examined one of the primary outcomes, reduced pain within 4 hours. Serious adverse events were similar between groups.

The authors say, "The clinical importance of these findings is uncertain. ... Collectively, these findings provide weak evidence to support ibuprofen use over acetaminophen."