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.

Calpol doesn't bring fever down for my DS. I just stopped using it altogether.

Gp always told me it’s fine. I was told they say that in case there is some other issue that will mask it. Obviously don’t do it for too long and see a doctor if you think there is something else wrong that needs treating eg antibiotics.

It says don't combine, as in don't give both at the same time. Not don't give one and then the other a few hours later.

Well I've always given both together, for my kids and myself.. sounds like it's not dangerous dose wise but for masking an illness.

NICE guidance for treating children with a fever ( this is aimed at GPs to help them give advice)
gpnotebook.com/simplepage.cfm?ID=x20070613192949295600

But people need to know that giving them “alternately” definitely does not mean leaving 4-6 hours between each dose of something. Otherwise they are getting a full dose of anything!
What it means eg is
7am paracetamol
9am ibuprofen
11am paracetamol
2pm ibuprofen
3pm paracetamol
7pm paracetamol
8pm ibuprofen.

I think If you do it correctly, it's ok. Dd13 was ill last week with a high fever and I gave a dose alternating every four hours. I carefully recorded when she had which and the amount but it did take a bit of thinking to double check it was not too much within 24 hours.

I think a whole lot of parents are stressed, busy, can't read instructions properly, can't do the maths to avoid overdose, etc. It's probably easier to just advise not to alternate.

It took 4 days for dd's fever to break, even having paracetamol and ibuprofen. And 111 took 18 hours just to call back, so seeing a doctor or nurse to get their permission to alternate isn't realistic for most now.

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I’ve always alternated. Children’s ward in our local hospital told me to do that when ds was little and was regularly being admitted for 40 plus temps due to ongoing at the time kidney problems.