Comments 

Antipyretic and Analgesic are needed for all patients alike no age or sex being exempted. In present study even the neonatal age group is included as some cases of neonatal tetanus and respiratory infections were admitted for pyrexia. These were safely treated with Injectable N-Acetyl Para Aminophenol (Paracetamol) or Analgin and the results as shown in the tables are satisfactory. 

In specific illnesses like Tuberculosis and Enteric fever, antibiotics are essential, when pyrexia rises considerably; it is essential to bring it down by antipyretics. In these cases pyrexia recurred till the specific therapy controlled the disease. On other infections, nonspecific antipyretics were very useful adjuvant in lowering the temperature, which on many occasions did not rise again. 

In nonspecific illnesses and infections like Gastroenteritis, response used to be very prompt, and in majority of cases there were no recurrence. In children there is always a danger of febrile convulsions, which is prevented by the use of nonspecific antipyretics. 

The response was good, i.e., the temperature could be lowered to normal within ½ to 1 hour and the results were identical in both Injectable forms. 

The response to Oral therapy was not comparable however. It is obvious that when pyrexia is high in specific illnesses, Oral therapy is not of much avail. Considering the good and the fair response almost in 90% of the cases, the temperature could be brought down to normal within 2 hours. Here also the Injectable forms were equally effective. In the last group where the response was poor all the cases were of specific diseases like Tetanus, Tuberculosis and Enteric Fever where the temperature could be brought down by 2°F or 3°F but did not touch normal. In case where the results were poor, a specific antipyretic was used. These results were shown in Table 5. Even in this table the results are comparable and shown that N-Acetyl Para Aminophenol (Paracetamol) is very useful in its purpose. Considering all the cases where the temperature was brought to normal the average time was calculated which is found to be the lowest for N-Acetyl Para Aminophenol (Paracetamol). 

The patients were closely observed for any untoward reaction. None of the patients showed any evidence of any of the toxic effects. 

In conclusions, N-Acetyl Para Aminophenol (Paracetamol) is a very safe drug when given intramuscularly. It can be given safely to all age groups including newborn babies. In all types of illnesses, specific or nonspecific, it is very useful in lowering the temperature to normal within a short time. Even when the temperature did not touch normal, it was lowered by 2°F to 3°F, which brings about considerable relief and comfort to the patients. It is not toxic can be safely used. No local pain was complained of by older children. 

References 

1.     Wafer Modell – Drugs of Choice 1972 – 1973 C.V

2.     Mosby and Company, 1972 Edition – Page Number: 192.

The authors have used AEKNIL INJECTION (PARACETAMOL), manufactured by THERAPEUTIC PHARMACEUTICALS, BOMBAY, INDIA for the cases under observations in this trial and are grateful to the firm for the supply of adequate quantity of the drug to this Department.