From the Research
Diclofenac Sodium Suppositories for Pyrexia in Children
- The use of diclofenac sodium suppositories for pyrexia (fever) in children has been studied in several clinical trials 1, 2.
- A study published in the Iranian Red Crescent medical journal in 2016 found that diclofenac suppositories were more effective than paracetamol suppositories in reducing fever in children aged six months to six years old 1.
- Another study published in the Caspian journal of internal medicine in 2021 found that diclofenac suppositories were more effective than high-dose acetaminophen suppositories in reducing fever in children aged 1-6 years old 2.
Dosage Recommendations
- A pharmacokinetic meta-analysis published in Paediatric anaesthesia in 2011 recommended a dose of 0.5 mg/kg for suppositories in children aged 1-12 years 3.
- Based on this recommendation, a 1.2-year-old child would require a dose of approximately 6-7.5 mg of diclofenac sodium suppository, which is lower than the 12.5mg dose mentioned in the question.
Safety Considerations
- While diclofenac is generally considered safe for use in children, there have been reports of anaphylactic shock and other adverse reactions 4, 5.
- A study published in the Cochrane database of systematic reviews in 2009 found that serious diclofenac adverse reactions occurred in fewer than 0.24% of children treated for acute pain 5.