Choose and use the right antipyretic for your baby

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Article written by Pharmacist Nguyen Thu Giang - Faculty of Pharmacy - Vinmec Times City International Hospital

Fever is a normal response of the body to fight against invading agents such as bacteria and viruses. However, when a child has a high fever above 38.5 °C, parents will not be able to help but wonder and find the best way to reduce the fever. Besides physical measures such as wiping the body, applying warmth, loosening diapers and clothes, parents can use antipyretic drugs for children with many dosage forms, suitable for the child's condition.
Currently, on the market, there are 3 most popular forms of drugs: intravenous, oral and rectal forms.

1. Intravenous infusion form

Commonly used active ingredients: Paracetamol, also known as Acetaminophen with familiar brand names such as Perfalgan, Paracetamol Kabi... 1g/100ml This form is often used in medical facilities, should not be used at home The advantage of this form of administration is that the drug avoids the destruction and loss of drugs due to factors in the gastrointestinal tract, so drug absorption is more stable than the gastrointestinal tract. The drug has a rapid effect, can maintain a continuous effect, accurately quantifies the dose, especially for young children, controls the speed of drug delivery, and is especially suitable for seriously ill patients who cannot drink or cannot drink. put the anus is. Cons: The use of the drug requires strict aseptic conditions because of its low safety, easy to cause shock, pain, abscess, infection not only at the infusion site but can cause blood infection if the technique non-sterile infusion. Parents can hardly use it themselves and should not use it on their own. In addition, intravenous drugs are often more expensive than other forms of administration and need to be used with other supplies such as pumps, needles, and infusion lines.

2. Oral form

Commonly used active ingredients are Paracetamol (with familiar brand-name drugs such as Efferalgan, Hapacol, Panadol, Tylenol...) and Ibuprofen (with brand-name drugs on the market such as Brufen, Gofen, Sotstop...) or tablets. The combination of paracetamol with ibuprofen like Alaxan ... The advantage of the oral form is that it is simple, convenient and easy to use. In general, this form of administration is safer than the parenteral route given its readily available dosage form and relatively low cost. Cons: The absorption of drugs is subject to many factors such as physiological status, how to take the drug, the drugs used, the food and drink used close to the time of taking the drug... and the time has a slow effect. than injection. This form of administration is available as oral tablets (tablets, capsules, effervescent tablets), powder sachets and syrups. Each form of use has its own advantages and disadvantages and notes for use: + Syrup form: absorbed faster than pills, usually has a sweet aroma and taste, easy to drink, reduces gastrointestinal irritation and is suitable for young children, although However, this form of medicine is more difficult to store and transport, usually has a rather short shelf life after opening and some products need to be stored at a cool temperature in the refrigerator. This form of medicine has a high viscosity, so parents should dilute it with water to make it easier for children to drink and increase drug absorption. This form of medicine is also easier to divide the dose than the tablet form.
+ Package of powder mixed into solution or oral suspension, effervescent tablet form: similar to syrup form, easy to divide, easy to swallow and easy to absorb, suitable for young children who do not or have not been able to swallow whole member.
+ Tablets or capsules: easy to pack, store and transport, with young children taking this form of medicine need to crush or poke the capsule to get the medicine and the exact dose is not accurate. This form of medicine is only suitable for older children, taking whole tablets.

3. Anal medicine form

Commonly used active ingredient is Paracetamol with brand name drugs or used as Efferalgan suppo in many concentrations. Advantages: This form of medicine is suitable for children who have difficulty or cannot take medicine such as young children, vomiting a lot, intestinal obstruction, coma... In addition, this form of use also avoids unpleasant taste and irritation of the digestive tract. digestion, avoiding the impact of gastric juices and enzymes in the digestive tract. Cons: This form of drug absorption is quite erratic, depends on many factors such as the nature of the active ingredient, excipients, preparation technique, rectal physiology... These drugs are more difficult to preserve than other forms of use. On the other hand, it is easy to melt at a temperature of 37 degrees and above, so it is usually stored in the refrigerator, especially before use. This dosage form is usually more expensive than the oral form. Children who are constipated, have diarrhea or have rectal disease should not use this form of medicine.

4. Parents need to be careful when using fever-reducing medicine for children

Medicines for children are usually calculated according to the child's weight, specifically: + The dose of paracetamol is 10-15mg/kg/time, 4-6 hours apart, the maximum daily dose is 75mg /kg but not more than 4g/day. Doses are calculated for all routes of administration and dosage forms.
+ Dosage of ibuprofen is 4-10 mg/kg/time, times are 6-8 hours apart, maximum daily dose is 40mg/kg but not more than 2400mg/day
Antipyretic with many brand name drugs contains With the same active ingredient, care should be taken to avoid concurrent use of many brand-name drugs that can cause overdose and drug poisoning.

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Reference article source: Clinical pharmacy, Update