Give Kids Ibuprofen, Not Codeine, for Broken Arms

Treat a child’s broken arm with an over-the-counter (OTC) drug like ibuprofen, researchers are saying. A study conducted at the Medical College of Wisconsin shows that the ibuprofen is superior to acetaminophen and codeine when used to treat broken arm pain.

The study involved 366 children, aged 4 to 18, treated for broken arms at the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. Each participant received liquid versions of either ibuprofen or acetaminophen-codeine medications. The patients and their families kept a diary of side effects and pain reduction experienced over the next 72 hours.

Those who took ibuprofen were more likely to play, experienced fewer adverse effects and even ate better than the children who took the acetaminophen-codeine combination. Alternately, 50.9% of those taking the codeine-laced drug experienced adverse reactions like nausea, vomiting, dizziness and drowsiness. Only 29.5% kids taking ibuprofen reported adverse effects.

In April, the Food and Drug Administration mandated that OTC medications made with acetaminophen need to warn about side effects like liver damage. Those using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (like ibuprofen) to treat broken bones should proceed with caution, since studies have shown that they may negatively affect the way the bone heals.

However, researchers point to the clear advantages that ibuprofen has over acetaminophen with codeine for treating children with broken arms. The study was published today in the Annals of Emergency Medicine.

AUTHOR: Annette Hulbert