Study: Ibuprofen better than acetaminophen for children's fevers

[Guest guest]

http://blogs.consumerreports.org/health/2008/09/study-ibuprofen.html

Study: Ibuprofen better than acetaminophen for children's fevers

With the start of the school year, I'll wager that my preschool son will bring

home a cold or throat infection in a week or two. A runny nose isn't a cause for

concern, but a high temperature can make a child feel miserable. Like many

parents, I keep two common fever remedies on hand: acetaminophen (Tylenol) and

ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). A new study has looked at which of these drugs works

best to bring down children's fevers and whether taking both drugs together

might be better than taking just one.

The study included about 150 children between 6 months and 6 years old. It found

that ibuprofen worked faster and for longer than acetaminophen at reducing high

temperatures. Taking both medicines together didn't seem to be any better than

taking ibuprofen on its own, although children given both medicines might have

had an extra couple of hours without a fever on the first day.

The study also found that it was very easy for parents to lose track when giving

children two different medicines. Even in a study, where nurses often gave the

first dose and parents were given careful advice, 31 children ended up being

given more than the recommended amount. This is important, since overdoses of

either acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be very dangerous.

What you need to know. A fever is one of the body's normal defenses against

illness, and it may not need to be treated. If your child is playing, drinking

fluids and not in distress, treatment is probably unnecessary.

But if your child is uncomfortable, you may want to use ibuprofen or

acetaminophen to bring the fever down. Either medication can help, but ibuprofen

may work best. Whichever treatment you use, it's very important to provide the

correct dosing, which is usually determined by your child's weight or age. Also,

ibuprofen should not be given to children who are 6 months or younger, are

dehydrated or are vomiting, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics

(AAP).

The AAP also says you shouldn't use either of these medications if your child is

taking other medication for pain or fever, unless your doctor says this is OK.

If your doctor does recommend using ibuprofen and acetaminophen together, it's

important to keep careful track of how much of each medicine you've given your

child. It may help to write down the time of each dose.

Aspirin has similar effects to acetaminophen and ibuprofen, but it should not be

given to children because of a risk of a rare but serious illness called Reye

Syndrome.

If your child has a fever and you're at all worried, be sure you talk to your

doctor. It's particularly important to get medical advice if your child has a

fever and:

Is under 3 months old

Has a seizure

Has severe shivering

Seems confused or doesn't respond to you easily

Has signs of dehydration, such as urinating less than usual

Is feeling more and more ill

Has had a fever for longer than a few days.

—Sophie Ramsey, patient editor, BMJ Group

ConsumerReportsHealth.org has partnered with The BMJ Group to monitor the latest

medical research and assess the evidence to help you decide which news you

should use.

Read more on children's health and on vaccinations your children need before

they head back to school.

Love, Gabby. :0)

http://stemcellforautism.blogspot.com/

http://www.facebook.com/gabby911

http://twitter.com/stemcell4autism

 

" I know of nobody who is purely Autistic or purely neurotypical. Even God had

some Autistic moments, which is why the planets all spin. " ~ Jerry Newport