What medicines for fever can I give my child?

Because fever helps the body fight infection, it is helpful to give medicine only after the fever is above 101 degrees F (38.4 degrees C).

Do not give your child aspirin. Studies have linked aspirin with brain, liver, and kidney damage and Reye's syndrome.

The best way to bring down a fever is to give acetaminophen. Common brand names for acetaminophen are Tylenol, Tempra, Liquiprin, and Panadol. These drugs reduce fever and relieve pain. Antibiotics do not reduce fever or relieve pain.

Acetaminophen comes in drops, syrup, and chewable tablets. The dose (amount given) is based on your child's weight. Most bottles will have a chart with the correct dose by weight on it. It is important to know that drops are usually stronger than syrup so you do not have to use as much.

Be sure to read the directions carefully. Acetaminophen may be given every four hours, but only give the amount that is recommended on the bottle.

If you are unsure about the correct dose of a medicine, call your doctor. Another medicine that will bring down a temperature is ibuprofen. Some brand names of ibuprofen are PediaProfen and Advil. PediaProfen comes in a liquid form. Advil is either a liquid or a pill. Ibuprofen is approved for children six months of age and older, but it should never be given to children who are dehydrated or vomiting (throwing up) continuously.

Follow the directions carefully and do not use more than the prescribed dose. Shake the bottle well before giving a dose to your child.

Remember that a low fever (under 101 degrees F) itself is not harmful, but it often makes you feel achy, irritable, and miserable. If your child is uncomfortable, acetaminophen may help.

“We stress that the reason to reduce the fever is for the comfort of the child and not to reduce the temperature,” says Carlos Lerner, MD, pediatrician, Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA. “Thus, if a child seems comfortable, behaves and appears normal, there is no reason to treat the fever with acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Sometimes treating the fever may cause adverse side effects that are worse than leaving the fever alone.”

Fever reducers such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen are generally very safe when given correctly, but they can have rare but serious effects. Aspirin should never be given to children.