Fever is a general symptom of infections or any other health condition. Parents would most of the time use fever-reducing medications to assuage their child’s discomfort and control the child’s fever. But what is important in using this type of medication is giving the right dosage, which should be effective in saving the child’s comfort while at the same time being safe. This article will discuss how much fever medication is appropriate for a child, including some of the most common medicines found in most households.
Common Medications for Fever in Children
The two most commonly used fever medications for children are acetaminophen, or paracetamol, and ibuprofen. Although they are normally safe and effective when used correctly, they do vary in the dosages, frequency, and age prescriptions.
Acetaminophen (Paracetamol)
Acetaminophen is the most common medication given to alleviate fever in children. It serves to reduce mild to moderate pain as well as fever. A drug of choice for children over 3 months old.
Dosage:
The dosage was nonspecific, 10-15 mg/kg body weight every 4-6 hours, not to exceed 5 doses within a 24-hour period. A proper dosage should be consulted from the package or prescribed by the pediatrician.
Forms:
The forms available include liquid, chewable tablets, and suppositories, which can allow flexibility depending on the age of the child and his or her ability to take medicines.
Acetaminophen overdose can cause severe damage to the liver.
Ibuprofen
Ibuprofen is another medication to help reduce fever. In addition to this, it has anti-inflammatory properties as well, which means it can also treat a condition where there is an inflammatory process, for example, sore throats or ear infections. Its use is advised for children above 6 months.
Dose
Dose for pediatrics: 5 to 10 milligrams/kg every 6 to 8 hours with a maximum of four doses in 24 hours.
Forms:
Ibuprofen comes in liquid and chewable tablets, as well as capsules. Dosage will depend again on the child’s weight, but like acetaminophen, it also depends on the child’s weight and the medication form.
Maximum Dose: The maximum daily dose of ibuprofen should not exceed 40 mg/kg body weight. Tolerance to the use of ibuprofen may result in gastrointestinal upset and impairment of renal function.
Important Factors to Consider in Dosage
Age and Weight of the Child The child’s age and weight are considered the most important guiding factors for a child’s dosage. Dosages of both acetaminophen and ibuprofen are based on weight, not on age, although some age limits apply. Most especially for young children, parents should always use a sound scale to weigh the child himself or herself before giving medication. Medication should never be taken in adult dosage, even when the child has outgrown his or her age group and looks older or bigger.
Accuracy of Measurements
The appropriate dosage should be given to avoid either underdosing—where the drug may not be potent enough—or overdosing that would lead to significant side effects from the medication. When administering liquid medications, utilize the dosing syringe or cup provided with the medication. Household spoons are often used quite frequently, but they are neither standard nor specific and may result in inappropriate doses.
Combination Products
Some over-the-counter cold and flu medications for children have acetaminophen or ibuprofen combined with another active ingredient. Caution should be exercised against giving additional fever-reducing medications along with a combination product because this can lead to the amount of the drug becoming toxic. Always read labels carefully or consult with a healthcare professional when using a combination product to avoid doubling the dose with an identical ingredient.
Some underlying health conditions that might influence the dosing of febrile medication for children include conditions such as asthma, liver disease, or kidney disease. These require adjustments in dosage levels, or in some cases, the child might not be the right candidate for the medication at hand. For instance, a child with a history of asthma should not receive ibuprofen as it worsens the condition and may lead to exacerbation of asthma, while acetaminophen is problematic for a child with a medical concern of the liver. In every case of an underlying medical condition, always make a referral to a healthcare provider before giving your child febrile medication.
Alternating Medications
There are some parents who wonder whether you can alternate between acetaminophen and ibuprofen to manage fever better. This is effective but must be done with proper timing and record-keeping of when each is given. Only under the guidance of a pediatrician should this be attempted to avoid confusion over what was given and to avoid overdose.
Hydration Fever can cause dehydration in children, especially if accompanied by vomiting or diarrhea. Medications to lower fever address the fever but do not contribute to hydration in any way. The child must be hydrated with fluids. Sometimes, the child will require an oral rehydration solution.
Symptoms of overdose or allergic reactions
Though very mild allergic reactions or overdoses may occur, especially when one takes more than the prescribed dose.
The symptoms of overdose are set as.
Nausea and vomiting
Abdominal pain
Drowsiness or dullness
Increased breathing
Jaundice during an overdose with acetaminophen
If one begins to experience any of these side effects, then they should be rushed for medical attention. If a child develops an allergic reaction like having some rash, swelling, or difficulties in breathing, then they should cease taking the medication and visit their physician for immediate treatment.
When to Consult a doctor
Medicines can make a child feel less uncomfortable when he or she has a fever, but still, the child needs to be seen by a doctor to determine when he or she should see a physician. Fever over 3 months of age always should be evaluated by a doctor. For children over 3 months of age, consult a doctor if the fever:
Lasts more than 3 days Is higher than 104°F (40°C) Is accompanied by other symptoms such as stiff neck, difficulty breathing, or persistent vomiting. Does not respond to medicine or improves only temporarily
It is vital, of course, that the management of fever in children is done appropriately, with safety, thus requiring administering fever medicines properly in terms of dosage.
The child’s weight should always be the basis for giving dosage, and measuring instruments and tools must also be appropriate.
Any medications should never be combined without consulting a healthcare provider. In this respect, following the guidelines concerning dosage and side effects or allergic reactions could help manage fever and reduce risks as much as possible.
A healthcare provider should always be consulted if one is in doubt about any aspect of the treatment of fever in children.
