Antipyretic

Coated 200 mg ibuprofen tablets, a commonly used antipyretic.

Antipyretics /ænti.paɪˈrɛ.tɪks/; an-tee-pahy-ret-iks; from the Greek anti, against, and pyreticus, pertaining to fever, are drugs or herbs that reduce fever. Antipyretics cause the hypothalamus to override an interleukin-induced increase in temperature. The body then works to lower the temperature, resulting in a reduction in fever.

Most antipyretic medications have other purposes. The most common antipyretics in the United States are ibuprofen and aspirin, which are used primarily as pain relievers. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, and pain relievers. There is some debate over the appropriate use of such medications, as fever is part of the body's immune response to infection^{[citation needed]}.

Non-pharmacological treatment

Bathing or sponging with lukewarm or cool water can effectively reduce body temperature in those with heat illness but not usually in those with fever. The use of alcohol baths is not an appropriate cooling method, because there have been reported adverse events associated with systemic absorption of alcohol.

Medications

Many medications have antipyretic effects and thus are useful for fever but not heat illness, including:

• NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen, ketoprofen, and nimesulide (not marketed in the US).
• Aspirin, and related salicylates like choline salicylate, magnesium salicylate, and sodium salicylate.
• Paracetamol (Acetaminophen in the US).
• Metamizole, banned in over 30 countries for causing agranulocytosis
• Nabumetone
• Phenazone, also known as antipyrine, available in combination with benzocaine as an ear drop in the US.
• Quinine

Plants

Traditional use of higher plants with antipyretic properties is a common worldwide feature of many ethnobotanical cultural systems. In ethnobotany, plants with naturally occurring antipyretic properties are commonly referred to as febrifuges.

In children

The effectiveness of acetaminophen alone as an antipyretic in children is uncertain, with some evidence showing it is no better than physical methods. Therapies involving alternating doses of acetaminophen and ibuprofen have shown greater antipyretic effect than either drug alone. One meta-analysis indicated that ibuprofen is more effective than acetaminophen in children at similar doses when both are given alone. The decreased use of Aspirin with the converse increased use of Acetaminophen/Paracetamol has been linked to the increase in asthma and other autoimmune disorders by several studies. Physicians recommending Acetaminophen/Paracetamol should use caution and be especially attentive to any genetic or environmental predisposition to asthma or other autoimmune disorders.