Pain meds 101 – Boston Children’s Answers

There’s no scarcity of secure and efficient ache medicines for kids. Acetaminophen (generally often called Tylenol), ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn) are the most typical over-the-counter choices, however how have you learnt which one is finest to make use of when?

“Every ache remedy has its personal advantages and dangers,” says Dr. Susan Harp, a pediatrician with Pediatric Associates of Hampden County. “Acetaminophen is often used for gentle ache and fever reduction. Ibuprofen is an efficient alternative when your little one has irritation from an harm or an infection or wants longer-lasting ache reduction. Naproxen can be utilized for continual or persistent ache and irritation, however just for older kids.”

With these distinctions in thoughts, listed below are some issues Dr. Harp desires you to find out about ache remedy.

Acetaminophen

The way it works: Acetaminophen works by blocking ache indicators within the mind and lowering fever, but it surely doesn’t cut back irritation. It may be given each 4 to 6 hours.

Greatest for:

• Delicate to reasonable ache reduction for issues like headaches or a sore throat
• Lowering fever

Issues to know: Acetaminophen is processed within the liver, so it needs to be prevented in kids who’ve liver situations corresponding to hepatitis. The liquid variations of acetaminophen for infants and older kids now have the identical energy (160 mg per 5 mL), so that you don’t want a separate “toddler” formulation. Nonetheless, at all times comply with the bundle directions to be sure you’re giving the correct amount based mostly in your little one’s weight and age.

Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)

The way it works: Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID); it blocks the chemical substances that trigger ache and the enzymes that set off the physique’s inflammatory response to an harm or an infection. Ibuprofen lasts longer than acetaminophen, so it may be given each six to eight hours.

Greatest for:

Issues to know: Ibuprofen can irritate the abdomen and, as a result of it’s processed by the kidneys, can pose a threat of kidney damage in kids who’re dehydrated or who’ve kidney situations. Ibuprofen shouldn’t be given to infants youthful than 6 months. For kids with asthma, ibuprofen might worsen respiratory or set off an bronchial asthma assault, so use with warning. Toddler ibuprofen could also be extra concentrated than the youngsters’s liquid model, so it’s vital to make use of the right dosing software on your little one’s age.

Naproxen (Aleve)

The way it works: Naproxen can also be an NSAID, but it surely lasts as much as 12 hours, so it’s an excellent possibility for continual ache, corresponding to arthritis.

Greatest for:

• Continual ache related to situations corresponding to arthritis, accidents, muscle ache
• Kids 12 and older

Issues to know: Naproxen carries comparable dangers as ibuprofen, together with gastrointestinal issues and kidney injury, particularly with extended use. Use the bottom efficient dose for the shortest time essential.

Switching between medicines for higher ache reduction

Alternating between acetaminophen and ibuprofen is widespread, but it surely doesn’t at all times supply higher ache reduction. It might additionally make it more durable to maintain observe of doses. When you determine to alternate, remember to notice when and what you gave to keep away from overdosing. You can too give each medicines on the identical time for extra extreme ache, as much as each six hours.

Keep away from over-use

In case your little one has a standard sickness just like the flu with a fever, it’s high-quality to provide ache remedy for as much as 5 days. In any other case, don’t give over-the-counter ache remedy for greater than three days in a row or greater than three days every week, except suggested by your little one’s physician for a severe situation or after surgical procedure. An excessive amount of ache remedy could cause issues and will even worsen chronic headaches.

Choosing the proper remedy

The best ache reduction on your little one relies on their particular person wants, age, and the way they reply to every remedy. This contains how effectively it relieves their ache, any potential negative effects, and the way lengthy it lasts. Dr. Harp reminds dad and mom of a very powerful issue: “Comply with dosing directions. When you’re unsure how a lot or how typically to provide drugs — particularly in case your little one is admittedly younger or has an underlying well being situation — verify along with your pediatrician.”

 Be taught extra about Boston Children’s Primary Care Alliance or find a primary care practice near you.