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Original poster

So we're no longer meant to alternate Paracetamol and Ibuprofen for kids?

84 replies

Crunchymum · 15/12/2022 21:15

Is this new advice?

Have a very hot (40c) child and Calpol didn't really help so given Nurofen. Just read the guidelines and NHS guidelines say use one or the other.

It's been 6 hours since I gave Calpol.

OP posts:
Mum2jenny · 15/12/2022 21:16

I’ve always alternated them, and I’d ignore whatever advice you’ve found.

Original poster
Crunchymum · 15/12/2022 21:16

And MNHQ please sort out your shit, jumpy, random website as I didn't press the enter button to create such big gaps 😑

OP posts:
WaddleAway · 15/12/2022 21:16

I am currently alternating them for my 3 year old who is 40 degrees.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General health
Lewiscapaldiscat · 15/12/2022 21:18

I just read that on the nhs website - so that’s changed.

there will be a reason - be helpful if they explained why

thaegumathteth · 15/12/2022 21:18

I always have and would if the need arised

Thefailinghousewife · 15/12/2022 21:18

Ds was at the doctors last week and told me to alternate?

Original poster
Crunchymum · 15/12/2022 21:18

Mum2jenny · 15/12/2022 21:16

I’ve always alternated them, and I’d ignore whatever advice you’ve found.

It's the NHS advice?

So we're no longer meant to alternate Paracetamol and Ibuprofen for kids?
So we're no longer meant to alternate Paracetamol and Ibuprofen for kids?
OP posts:
Lewiscapaldiscat · 15/12/2022 21:19

Mum2jenny · 15/12/2022 21:16

I’ve always alternated them, and I’d ignore whatever advice you’ve found.

It’s nhs advice - not any old advice.

babies used to be put on their Front and it was probably fine for most - but not all.

guidance changes for a reason.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 15/12/2022 21:20

It means at the same time I think rather than alternate doses.

Original poster
Crunchymum · 15/12/2022 21:20

Mine is a bit older @WaddleAway but 40c is always scary.

Hope your little one feels better soon

OP posts:
bloodywhitecat · 15/12/2022 21:21

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 15/12/2022 21:20

It means at the same time I think rather than alternate doses.

That's how I read it too.

MoreTeaLessCoffee · 15/12/2022 21:21

Is this specifically for fever? Or in any circumstances? I agree an explanation on the NHS site would help. I've alternated them many a time!

WaddleAway · 15/12/2022 21:21

Surely after 6 hours you’re not ‘alternating’… calpol didn’t work so you’re switching to ibruprofen. Alternating would be giving them both alternately every 2-3 hours. It doesn’t say that if you’ve given calpol you can’t ever give ibuprofen.

Original poster
Crunchymum · 15/12/2022 21:22

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 15/12/2022 21:20

It means at the same time I think rather than alternate doses.

I did think that but the other screenshot I posted said use either paracetamol or Ibuprofen.

OP posts:
ShowOfHands · 15/12/2022 21:22

It's always said don't alternate. It's NICE guidelines. The advice has always been that if one isn't working, switch to another and if that still doesn't work, seek medical advice. You may then be advised to alternate.

It is safe to alternate but the guidelines aim to make sure a parent is seeking advice when necessary.

QueefQueen80s · 15/12/2022 21:23

I always give at the same time as thought they worked differently. It saved me abs then through teething. I take both together too.

HMHQ · 15/12/2022 21:23

DH is a doctor and he says to alternate paracetamol and ibuprofen.

Augend23 · 15/12/2022 21:23

Can you link to the web page it's from? I've had a quick Google and not located yet. I want to see when the page was last updated.

BergamotMouse · 15/12/2022 21:24

I believe it's because it can mask serious conditions somehow.

But I spoke to a GP regarding my sons temperature. Said I was alternating but knew that was against advice. He said it was fine to alternate.

Catgotyourbrain · 15/12/2022 21:25

It’s because it’s easy to forget which you gave when..

if you’re confident you’re not going to forget which you gave when to en it’s fine in principle - you just need to be aware and on it with writing down the dosage.

it

Original poster
Crunchymum · 15/12/2022 21:25

www.nhs.uk/conditions/fever-in-children/

It was updated in Dec 2020.

OP posts:
RogueV · 15/12/2022 21:26

It’s the way you are interpreting it. It’s basically telling you NOT to give both at the SAME time, it isn’t not telling you not to alternate!

AnneLovesGilbert · 15/12/2022 21:29

I had this conversation a few weeks back. DD had a high temp with a nasty chest infection and 111 told me not to alternate after I’d been doing it a day and I checked with the GP in urgent care who said she alternated with her own kids and 111 were wrong.

dementedpixie · 15/12/2022 21:29

This is on a different nhs page:

For high temperature

If you've given your child paracetamol and they still have a high temperature after 1 hour, you could try giving them ibuprofen.

If this helps bring down their temperature, carry on giving them ibuprofen instead of paracetamol. Follow the instructions that come with the medicine.

Do not alternate between paracetamol and ibuprofen to treat a high temperature without advice from a doctor or nurse.

See your doctor if you've tried both paracetamol and ibuprofen and they have not helped.

www.nhs.uk/medicines/paracetamol-for-children/taking-paracetamol-for-children-with-other-medicines-and-herbal-supplements/

SquigglePigs · 15/12/2022 21:30

The quote does mean literally at the same time.

This page has more detail (and was last reviewed June 2022) - after the quote you have above it then goes on to explain alternating:

https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/ibuprofen-for-children/taking-ibuprofen-for-children-with-other-medicines-and-herbal-supplements/#:~:text=Paracetamol%20for%20children%20is%20a,nurse%20gives%20you%20different%20instructions).

"For high temperature
If you've given your child ibuprofen and they still have a high temperature after 1 hour, you could try paracetamol instead."

"For pain (including teething)
If you've given your child ibuprofen and they're still in pain 1 hour later, you could try giving paracetamol.
If they're still in some pain after giving paracetamol you can alternate between doses of paracetamol and ibuprofen. Only give 1 medicine at a time."