Objective:
The study was performed to compare the effects of metamizol and paracetamol administered intravenously (IV), int adult patients with suspected swine flu (H1N1) presenting at the emergency department (ED) with fever.
Materials and Methods:
The study is a prospective randomized study made at the Uludag University Medical School ED between the dates of December 01-31.12.2009. 125 suspected H1N1 patients with fever were included in the study. Patients were randomized in turn and medications (1000 mg paracetamol/ metamizole in 100 cc serum physiologic) were applied in the form of a 20-minute infusion by IV. Body temperatures are recorded before and after 15 and 30 minutes of drug application.
Results:
The patients’ mean age was 27.2±10.2. There were 63 patients in the metamizole and 62 patients in the paracetamol group. Body temperature decrease was significant with both drugs of application, however, in the group administered paracetamol the temperature decrease was more significant (p<0.05).
Conclusion:
Although both paracetamol and metamizole are effective in fever management, in patients with suspected H1N1, paracetamol is the drug of choice.
Keywords: Swine flu, fever, antipyretic agent, emergency department