My question is do you use them together at the same time, or alternate every 3 hours? I have read both online and want to know what you moms have done.
My daughter is 4 and started a low-grade fever late morning, she's been fine all day, typical cold/cough/sneezing, then at bedtime the fever got higher 102, so I gave Ibuprofen, and 45 mins later the fever was 103.7, she was sleeping, then I checked her again 30 mins later and the fever is only down to 102.5. Should I let her sleep at this temp or give Tylenol? I know the fever is to help the body rid of the sickness, and she is sleeping, so a part of me says let her sleep and keep on eye on her. But, what have you done? BTW, this is our first high fever, so that's why I am asking. Thanks moms :)
I just checked on her and she felt much cooler and is sleeping fine. I guess it just took the Ibuprofen longer to kick in. I still want to know how you have given both medicines, just in case it spikes again and it's not time for a second dose of Ibuprofen. Thanks!!
Let her sleep and just keep an eye on the fever. Sleep will allow her body to fight off the bacteria or virus better (can focus on it more than when she is awake). If it is still running high in the morning or if she wakes up in the middle of the night try a room temp bath. Take her to the dr tomorrow if she is not improving, this sounds like the flu and they have a med to help with the symptoms.
When I have done this, I have alternated every 3 hours, not given a dose at the same time. Although, the reason you can do this, and not overwhelm their systems is that Tylenol is processed in the liver, and Ibuprofen is processed by the kidneys. (So giving a dose at the same time is probably OK too, I just have not run into a fever that needed both at the same time to come down.)
Give the meds time to work and allow sleep to help with things too. :)
Oh, and I second the keeping a list/chart and writing down the dose times.... when you get tired, it gets hard to remember! (Or, if your husband does some doses..... It makes the hand off MUCH easier.)
My daughter gets high fevers with most illnesses.. She gets to 104 and it stops.. does not go higher.
I have found that Ibuprofen works much better for fevers. I only give ibuprofen every 6 hours.
My ped had a info sheet on fevers and it said only alternate the drugs after you talk to the dr. The drugs work the same way.. so if one doesnt work the other isnt likely to work much better. But you do one every 4 hours. Ibuprofen at 12 noon, acetomaphen at 4pm. ibuprofen at 8 pm.. etc..
if she is sleeping I would let her sleep. the is healing. wake up and check on her or sleep in her room.
I do not get too worried about fevers as my child always gets fevers and in 48-72 hours the fever is gone and she is fine. My son catches the bug from his sister .. He might get a fever of 100 but he will cough and sneeze.. same germ.. different kid..
Alternate, don't give them at the same time. Glad she is cooler and sleeping good.
When my son was very young he would spike fevers of 103/104 when ill.
Per my doctor's recommendation, I would give him BOTH ibuprofen and acetaminophen at one time, then alternate based on recommended dosage - I think acetaminophen is every 4 hours and ibuprofen is every six. So after the initial dose of both together, they alternated. I.e., initial dose at noon, then acetaminophen at 4, and ibuprofen at 6.
I kept a chart on the fridge and clocked out what times to give what based on the time of the initial dose - I did this because (1) I would get tired and confused dealing with a sick little one and (2) even if his temp checked as normal, if i skipped a dose he would spike back up, sometimes within as little as an hour.
Give her the tylenol. Then make a time chart based and begin giving her both, alternating according to the recommended dosage times.
The other thing I would do with my son was to keep his hair damp - heat escapes through the scalp and a damp head will actually hasten it. I would also bath him in lukewarm water to cool him down - never cold water - that can shock their systems. And, yes, both of these "treatments" where doctor approved :)
Good Luck
Sending hugs your way.
You can use them together BUT you must follow the instructions for the time intervals. Acetaminophen is about every 4 hours, where ibuprofen is about 6-8 hours so they can be taken together but only as long as you follow the time intervals correctly. I have never found acetaminophen to work alone. When a high fever presents itself, I have always used acetaminophen and ibuprofen together.
When a child is sleeping, let them sleep. Their body is working, even in sleep to fight the infection and remember: fever is a good thing. I know most parents, especially new parents freak out over fever but it's actually a good sign that the body is working to fight the infection. I generally do not give meds to a fever that is 100 or below. And I have 4 children, so I've had lots of practice with fevers. Fevers can cause dehydration so make sure to provide plenty of fluids. Keep you child cool/comfortable and use meds as necessary. This shall pass.
Check with your doctor but I remember when my daugther was spiking 104 the doc said you could give tyelnol then 2 hours later give Ibuprofen. You had to be very careful and write each time you gave the medication because doubling the same meds or cutting the time they can take it can be very bad in deed. Normally I would not give both unless they are spiking 104 or higher and you have doctor's permission. Never give both unless you have spoken to the doctor and they have given the approval. Good rule of thumb, if kid is hitting 102 just go straight to Iburofen. It lowers the temp. Tyelnol is for lower temps 101 range and lower. And yes Ibru does take a good 15 to 20 min to kick in
Callyour doctor's office and ask. They will know the latest and the specifics.
You should NEVER give so much medication or double the dosage. Children (and adults) can easily overdose on them which is why the FDA pulled all infant medications off the market (parents were giving way too much).
If the fever does not go down within a reasonable time then take your child to the doctor.
I rotate it to try to keep a contast antipyretic (fever reducer) in them at all times. You can safely give both at the same time since they are two different medications you aren't doubling the dose; however, I never wanted to hit that 4 hour mark when both are starting to wear off - that fever will spike back up again making her miserable. Let her sleep if she's sleeping well. And do write it down - especially if you have more than one sick kid.
Her fever is still in the "non-scary" range so just follow the dosing directions while alternating. My son had pneumonia 2 years ago and his fever was almost 105 and not going down. The hospital had to give him ty and ad at the same time and a higher than indicated dose. But as long as it's under 104 and sleeping comfortable then let her rest until the next dose.
Ibuprofen is usually a six-hour dose and acetamenophen a four-hour dose --not sure how you could safely alternate them without giving too much. Both can be hard on children's bodies.
Please do not go by advice here and in the future, call the doctor before you post. This is a medical issue -- so why didn't you call your doctor's office? If it was late at night: Your pediatrician should have a "triage line" where someone can answer a basic question like this 24/7. If your pediatrician does not, get a new one, fast.
I do not combine them, so to speak, in the same spoon. I do rotate them as the doc and Pharmacists suggests. I asked the pharmacist and although the are different meds they do work on some of the same things. Why double dose the body when one or the other will probably do.
Like the others said – alternate. For example, Acetaminophen at 6am (lasts 4 hrs), Ibuprofen (lasts 6 hrs) at 10am, Acetaminophen at 4pm, Ibuprofen at 8pm etc. DON’T give both doses at once.
