5-May-10 6:00 AM EST

Understanding Pain and Fever Medicine

With so many different pain and fever medicines in the pharmacy, it can be confusing. There are infant drops, children’s liquid suspensions and chewable tablets. Each one of them contains different medicines and different doses. To add to the confusion, since November of 2008 infants’ and children’s TYLENOL^® (acetaminophen) packaging no longer gives dosing information for children less than two years old. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was concerned about reports of accidental acetaminophen overdoses in children caused by parents’ dosing mistakes. In some cases, parents had failed to either read or understand the label instructions, which led them to use an incorrect measuring device or formulation (for example, drops instead of suspension). Acetaminophen is not unsafe to give to your infant, just always talk to your doctor before you do so.

If your child is sick, you should give them lots of liquids to drink and make them rest.

Fever

If your child has a FEVER - See the Mayo Clinic Fever Guide below for recommendations on how to treat it. Although there are many thermometers on the market that measure temperature in different areas, parents should use rectal thermometers with their babies for the most accurate reading. “The ‘gold standard’ measurement is still the rectal temperature. For more information on how to take a temperature, click here for the Mayo Clinic's recommendations.

How high is it?

Pain

If your child is in PAIN: Pain may be treated for five days in children when using acetaminophen. Ibuprofen may be used instead, but for no more than three days. Take your child to the doctor if the pain doesn’t go away by that time. However, if the pain is due to a sore throat, make sure to you take them to a doctor if it lasts more than two days.

*Do not give ASPIRIN to anyone age 18 years or younger*

Aspirin has been linked with Reye's syndrome, a rare but serious condition that can affect children and teenagers recovering from a viral infection. Aspirin and products that contain aspirin should not be given to children less than 18 years old unless prescribed by your doctor. Some medical conditions require treatment with aspirin.

KidsMeds Tips:

Know your child's weight in pounds and kilograms.
Always check with your pharmacist or child's doctor first if you're not sure about the dosing of acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
Store brand products work the same way as the main brand (Tylenol, Motrin, Advil) products. Dosing is the same.
Use the dropper, medicinal cup, or oral syringe provided with the product for that product only! Do not use the measuring tool for other medicines.

Children's Tylenol and Motrin Liquid Product Recall:

What does the recent recall of Tylenol and Motrin products mean for you? Read more about it here.
Which lots of Tylenol and Motrin were recalled? Here is the complete list. Please note that the store brand equivalents were not recalled and can still be used.