How to Use Acetaminophen (Paracetamol) and Ibuprofen for Your Child

• Acetaminophen:
  • Give it every 4-6 hours, but no more than 4 times in a day.
  • Use it as the first choice for relieving pain.
• Ibuprofen:
  • Give it every 6-8 hours, but no more than 3 times a day.
  • Use it for injuries or conditions that cause swelling and pain.

For Fever: You can use both medicines to treat fever. However, if your child is allergic to one of them, only use the other.

Combining both: You can give your child both medicines at the same time, but this should only be done once or twice a day.

General Safety:

• Both medicines are usually safe for children when used correctly.
• Always follow the dose instructions based on your child’s age or weight, as advised on the packaging by the manufacturer.

• Acetaminophen:
  • Use with caution if your child has liver problems, make sure you consult a doctor before giving acetaminophen to your child.
  • Avoid if your child is allergic to acetaminophen.
• Ibuprofen:
  • Do not use for more than a few days at a time.
  • Using it too often may cause stomach or kidney problems.
  • Avoid it if your child has bleeding problems, kidney problems, or severe asthma.
  • In some cases, Ibuprofen can trigger an asthma attack. If your child has taken it before without any problems, it is usually safe.

You should seek medical advice if your child:

• Develops a rash.
• Shows new symptoms.

• Appears very sick.
• Has breathing difficulties.
• Experiences severe pain.
• Can not keep anything down, meaning that your child is continuously vomiting everything you give them (food, drink, even medicine).
• Pain or fever not going away despite giving the maximum allowed dose.