Controlling a child's fever effectively
CONTROLLING A CHILD'S FEVER EFFECTIVELY
Studies have shown that ibuprofen clears fever in children faster compared to paracetamol.*1
Comparison: Paracetamol suspension 15mg/kg every 4-6 hours (maximum of 4 doses in 24 hours) and ibuprofen suspension 10mg/kg every 6-8 hours (maximum of 4 doses in 24 hours). Children were included if they were aged between 6 months and 6 years and were unwell with a temperature of at least 37.8°C and up to 41.0°C.1
Ibuprofen provides relief from fever for up to 8 hours.7,10 It is more effective than paracetamol at 6 and 8 hours after administration and has a longer duration of action.10
Children aged 11 months to 11 years were randomly selected to receive a single dose of either liquid ibuprofen or liquid paracetamol.7
Another study looked at paracetamol compared with ibuprofen in the short-term management of fever or pain in children under 2 years. It found that ibuprofen, compared with paracetamol, was associated with reduced temperature at less than 4 hours and 4 to 24 hours, and less pain at 4 to 24 hours.11