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

[Crunchymum]

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.

Exactly this. It's fine to alternate, but if child is unwell enough to need it they should be reviewed by a Dr.

Ah the halcyon days of Medised……😴😓

Have always had to do this with Ds as have hospital when he’s been in as paracetamol has very rarely worked on own .
I did hear it was not recommended as some get confused with dose’s.

No wonder doctors and hospitals are overloaded if parents are being told to consult a doctor before giving ibuprofen and paracetamol in their correct doses.

That has been the guidance on the website for ages. Only time I’ve ever seen them worried about temp itself (rather than symptoms) was when one of mine was hitting 41 and was v tachychardic and then they actively were trying to reduce temp as quick as possible in paeds.

I suspect it's because too many people can't tell the difference between Calpol and Calprofen, and can't cope with the mixed fractions of 4/24 and 3/24, so give too much of one or the other.

Personally, because I can, I wouldn't worry about doing it if it were necessary for children or adults. Except me, as I'm allergic to NSAIDs - which is a right bastard.

I thought it had always said that unless advised by a Dr, I remember when my oldest was young and he's 27 now

I wouldn't bother asking a Dr now, I just alternate it with the younger dc if I think they need it

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

Link to fully comprehensive NHS guidance

This

The GP told me this week to alternate them as DS has a fever.

This is the advice only because some parents lose track of what’s been given if they alternate the two medicines. The child is at higher risk of being overdosed. Doctors will always tell you in person to alternate, especially if Calpol isn’t helping on its own. Calpol every four hours, no more than four doses in 24 hours. Nurofen every six hours, no more than three doses in 24 hours. So you can see it is rife for confusion.

The best thing to do is alternate (Nurofen is the only thing that brings down a particularly ferocious fever in my experience) and keep a drugs chart/list , to make sure you/other parent don’t OD but the child is comfortable and without fever.

Ha I'd forgotten all about medised 😴

A different era - can't believe it was ever allowed really

Ds should've been sponsored by medised,it was great stuff !

@MrsPelligrinoPetrichor right? Saved our sanity and let our kids sleep off some horrible bugs.

Yes, this.

I've always alternated every 5-6 hrs, even now they're teens.

I personally alternate as I'm never sure what will work best. I'd rather hedge my bets. Everyone is different and medicines affect us in different ways.

The advice is there because if a child is unwell enough to need the medicines alternating to control symptoms they may have an illness that requires other treatment, an illness that could be life threatening and doctors are concerned that parents might not seek further advice or care when needed.
Personally I try one first give the other if necessary and at that point seek advice from 111 or the doctor etc saying that the child has required both.

Do not combine means don't give a paracetamol and ibuprofen together-at the same time.
Not- you shouldn't alternate them.

I was very thankful my 2 were toddlers in the medised years.

I was told to give both together by a pharmacist about five years ago and it worked amazingly well for teething.

I wonder if it’s to do with the potential to overdose the child if administering medicine across 24 hours?

OP if you want to confirm this with a certified medical expert in real life, give your local pharmacy a call. Any pharmacist with be able to confirm to you that you’ve correctly interpreted current advice on this in about 30seconds.

When my DS had tonsillitis NHS told me to alternate. It's as perfectly safe as it's always been, it's to stop the people who can't follow instructions properly overdosing their kids. Though, I'd argue that giving a dose of paracetamol and then a dose of Ibuprofen would be safer than giving too much paracetamol in one go...

It doesn’t say that on this nhs page!
www.nhs.uk/medicines/paracetamol-for-children/taking-paracetamol-for-children-with-other-medicines-and-herbal-supplements/

I was told to give my child both a week ago at a and e. He is older though.

This is the official guidelines, but if you call the GP or 111 about temperatures they will always ask why you haven't tried alternating before asking them, so in practice it's still 1 at a time, alternate, then medical advice.