Fever is the body’s natural defense response, which can increase antibody synthesis and enhance phagocyte activity, which is helpful for diagnosis and prognosis. Usually, children should take antipyretics when their fever exceeds 38.5°C.

Antipyretic medicine for children

Fever is one of the symptoms that often accompanies colds in children. The whole body feels hot and is often characterized by poor appetite and lack of energy. Under normal circumstances, children whose body temperature exceeds 38.5°C take antipyretics to lower their body temperature. What kind of medicine is antipyretic for children? Children's antipyretics are a type of oral medication that biochemically restore children with fever to normal body temperature. If the child's body temperature does not exceed 38.5°C, physical cooling methods can be used, such as ice compresses and antipyretic patches.

What are the antipyretic drugs for children?

Currently, the antipyretic drugs for children sold in various hospitals and pharmacies mainly include liquids, tablets, suppositories and injections. The more common antipyretic drugs for children are Drugs can be divided into 6 categories according to their ingredients:

1. Aspirin

Note: Contraindicated under 16 years of age

The longest-used antipyretic drug, its It has a strong antipyretic effect, but also has serious side effects. It can seriously irritate the gastrointestinal tract and even induce ulcers. The UK clearly stipulates that aspirin is prohibited for children under the age of 16. At present, this drug is also being phased out in pediatrics in China.

2. Acetaminophen

Note: It is relatively safe and can be kept at home

Paracetamol is currently the most commonly used antipyretic drug in pediatric clinical practice. A relatively safe antipyretic drug. It has rapid antipyretic effect and few adverse reactions, so it can be kept at home. Representative drugs include Pediatric Merrill Lynch Syrup, Pediatric Baifu Ning Drops, etc.

3. Ibuprofen

Note: Suitable for children over 6 months old and adults for antipyretic and analgesic use

Ibuprofen is a bixin It is a pediatric antipyretic drug that is safe and efficient, has obvious antipyretic and analgesic effects, has fewer side effects, and is less irritating to the gastrointestinal tract than acetaminophen. The representative drug is Ton oral solution.

4. Nimesulide

Note: High risk, need to be used with caution; children under 12 years old are prohibited.

Nimesulide has significant anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic effects. However, recent reports indicate that nimesulide has a very high risk of causing severe liver damage and should be used with caution.

5. Compound aminopyrine

Note: It is prohibited for infants and young children, and should be used with caution in older children

Also known as Antongding, it is an injection that is clinically One of the most commonly used powerful antipyretics in the world. Potentially induce acute hemolytic anemia, risk of side effects such as rash. If the dose of this product is too large, the child will sweat excessively and the body temperature will drop sharply, which may easily lead to collapse.

6. Metamizole

Note: Do not use it except in extreme emergencies. It may have cross-allergic reactions with aspirin.

Metamizole has an obvious and rapid antipyretic effect, but the side effects are also very obvious. Some patients are allergic to the drug and may even suffer shock or even death. Therefore, it is only used for emergency antipyretic treatment in cases of acute high fever, severe illness, and no other antipyretic drugs are available. Currently, 27 countries have banned or restricted the use of metamizole, but some local hospitals in China are still using it, which deserves great attention.

Side effects of antipyretic drugs

As the saying goes, "medicines are divided into three parts," chemical drugs generally have the advantage of being effective quickly, but they may also have different side effects.

From the above analysis of six antipyretic drugs for children, we can understand the side effects of different antipyretic drug ingredients. In comparison, the side effects of acetaminophen and ibuprofen are minimal.

Common side effects of children’s antipyretics are generally irritating to the gastrointestinal tract, but the side effects of metamizole and aminopyrine are more obvious and may cause collapse, even shock, and allergies. Children with weak constitutions will develop drug eruptions and urticaria, which can endanger the children's lives. These classes of drugs are also being phased out.

How high should you take antipyretics when you have a fever?

Fever is one of the more frequent diseases in children as they grow up. In children, a fever of 37.5°C to 38°C is considered low fever, 38°C to 39°C is considered moderate fever, 39°C or above is considered high fever, and more than 41°C is considered ultra-high fever.

If the body temperature does not exceed 38°C, generally do not rush to reduce the fever, especially before a clear diagnosis is made. Blindly reducing fever may conceal the condition and interfere with the diagnosis of the condition. When the body temperature reaches above 39°C, the fever should be reduced under the guidance of a doctor.

Doctors suggest that children whose body temperature does not exceed 38.5°C should not take antipyretic drugs. Instead, they should choose physical cooling methods, such as ice compresses and antipyretic patches. Only take antipyretics under the guidance of a doctor if the fever exceeds 38.5°C.