just had mmr vacine - fever starting...

[bumbly]

what do you give - calpol?

what is difference between giving paracetomol, ibuprufen, neurofen etc?

totally confused what to give my 13 month old???

[bethoo]

calpol is paracetamol based. it will reduce the fever.
i think you can mix it with nurofen but dont take my word. there will be someone along shortly who will know better.

[lulumama]

you can alternate nurofen and calpol as they are different medicines, depends how high the fever is

if it does not come down with calpol, i would offer nurofen.

you could ring a local pharmacy and they can advise you on how much to give and when

[bumbly]

difference between neurofen and ibu??

[Lemontart]

iin my non medical background limited experience calpol is good for pain, nurofen is to bring down temps. You can use both together although our GP recommended staggering them and "overlapping" them by an hour. In your case with no pain and only temp, ,I would reccomend you stick to neurofen and not calpol- but that is just another mums opinion - not a medical one.

[Lemontart]

ok - some techy internet grabbed stuff about diff between nurofen and ibuprofen!

Nurofen migraine pain, Nurofen tension headaches and Nurofen back pain SR capsules all contain the active ingredient ibuprofen, which is a type of medicine called a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). (NB. Ibuprofen is also available without a brand name, ie as the generic medicine.) Ibuprofen is a simple painkilling medicine used to relieve mild to moderate pain, inflammation and fever.

Ibuprofen works by blocking the action of a substance in the body called cyclo-oxygenase (COX). Cyclo-oxygenase is involved in the production of various chemicals in the body, some of which are known as prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are produced in response to injury and certain diseases and conditions, and cause pain, swelling and inflammation. NSAIDs block the production of these prostaglandins and are therefore effective at reducing inflammation and pain.

Ibuprofen also reduces fever by reducing the production of prostaglandins. Fever is associated with an increase in prostaglandins in the brain, and these prostaglandins cause the body temperature to increase. By reducing prostaglandins in the brain, ibuprofen lowers body temperature and hence reduces fever.

Ibuprofen reduces inflammation and related pain and so can be used to relieve muscular and rheumatic aches and pains. It can also be used to relieve other painful conditions such as headaches, migraine, toothache, nerve pain (neuralgia) and period pain. It is also useful for reducing fever and discomfort associated with colds and flu.

[Lemontart]

ie - ibuprofen is nurofen and is a brand name issue

[Romy7]

i always give precautionary calpol with jabs, and then alternate with nurofen if temp.
be aware that if you accidentally buy calprofen (!) which is in a very similar bottle to calpol, it has both in, and you shouldn't give any additional paracetamol or nurofen/ ibuprofen

[bumbly]

thanks so much for helping me to understand more - will buy both at supermarket today

thanks!!

[Sawyer64]

All drugs have 2 or more names. The generic name is Ibuprofen,which is the "chemical" name ,if you like of the components of the drug.

When a drug company wants to market the drug they give it their own name ie "Nurofen".

It is the same drug but in a different box,and a different price.

What you have to watch is some manufacturers like to "sell" their product with "marketing techniques" such as a nicer colour and a nicer taste than their competetiters(sp?)hence "additives",which can make your child go "loopy",or they may be sensitive to.

I was always advised,by a Pharmacist friend,to avoid Calpol as it has colours added.

The generic named drug is always cheaper too.
So Paracetamol Syrup is cheaper than Calpol,and shouldn't have the additives.Ibuprofen syrup will be cheaper than Nurofen syrup.No difference in the "pain-killing" aspects of it though.

As previously stated, when a pain is an "inflammatory pain" such as Toothache,period pain,Sprains,etc.Ibuprofen is a drug of choice,but paracetamol is good as a general painkiller.

You can give them both at the same time,if necessary.But at least staggering them,you have a "back-up" if things arent getting better.

With my DD1 when she had temps of 40 degrees,Ibuprofen was the only thing that would touch it.HTH

[Sawyer64]

Think that should be checked Romy7. i believe Calprofen is another brand name for Ibuprofen and doesn't have Paracetamol/calpol in as well.

I could be wrong.....
I have always "hated" the name Calprofen,as if I'm correct,its very misleading!

[Romy7]

oh! i'll have another look - i was under the impression it was both - tbh i refuse to buy it now lol...
thanks!

but it def has ibuprofen lol, so still don't mix it up with calpol and give nurofen as well

[Sawyer64]

Too true Romy7!

Also beware use of Ibuprofen "after jabs" as it isn't licenced for use before 3 months,but Paracetamol/Calpol is.

I'm sure you meant later jabs,but just wanted to mention this.

[littleducks]

I thought you could combine the two, as so may people do but according to nhs direct:

"You may wish to use both paracetamol and ibuprofen at the same time to reduce pain and fever. There is no known harmful interaction between paracetamol and ibuprofen in people over the age of 16."

"You can use either paracetamol or ibuprofen to treat pain and fever in children, but you should not give them both at the same time. If your child does not respond to one medicine, try giving them the other, but never combine the two. If your child's symptoms persist for more than 72 hours, you should visit your GP for advice. You can also phone NHS Direct on 0845 4647."

[Sawyer64]

I can see why they say that as it could "knock" your child out.

But when my DS had an ear infection and was screaming with the pain at age 4,the A&E nurse gave him both,and when DS had his appendix out aged 5 years,the paediatric nurse on the ward gave him both too.

With a small baby,it could knock them out,and that in itself could give you further worries.So staggering is better with a younger child IME.