To give DD more than 3 doses of ibprofen in 24 hrs

[Whitedaffodils]

My DD who became ill last night. She woke just before midnight with headache and fever and then developed stuffy nose bit of a cough and sore throat. She's going from hot to cold all day. She often gets chills when she has a fever.
Her temp is nearing 40 without medication but staying at 38 ish with calpol/nurofen.... my problem is I've already given her 3 doses of nurofen 6+ and calpol doesn't seem to be cutting it She's still quite uncomfortable.
Technically I can't give her another ibprofen dose until midnight but would you risk giving it an hour earlier? Like wouldn't most of the previous dose be out of her system by the 23 hour mark? Im a stickler for rules especially with medication but just want my little one to feel better and get some rest.

She is 6 I meant to include that in the post

Its not about the day changing, its 24hrs after you gave the first dose. If that helps?

How many doses in 24 hours. If you’d be giving her a fourth dose after 23 hours then that would be fine. Best not on an empty stomach though and don’t do it regularly. It doesn’t take much to develop a stomach ulcer.

I wouldn't take advice on medication dosages from the internet - call 111 and ask.

Call 111 and ask their advice. Write all the doses and times so you can tell them.

You can give paracetamol separately from ibuprofen which means you can give something every 3 hours.

Why are you giving it? Is she in pain?

You need to stick to the dosage schedule if so.

It is not necessary to bring down a fever unless it causing discomfort. The fever is there to do a job.

https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/fever-in-children/

From the NHS advice : A high temperature is the body's natural response to fighting infections like coughs and colds.

@BatshitIsTheOnlyExplanation

This is not advised by the NHS (which is evidence based)

do not alternate ibuprofen and paracetamol, unless a health professional such as a doctor or nurse tells you to

My bad seen she woke just before midnight. Eh. Id probably give it a bit earlier but if calpol and neurofen not touching it, id want a review from a medical professional.

Just sticking our nose in to remind the OP that noone here is a verified healthcare professional. Always seek real life advice.

We hope your DD gets well soon.

Hi OP. Double check the instructions on the medication, but I’m pretty sure it is ok to give 4 doses of calpol/paracetamol and 3 of ibuprofen in a 24 hour period. Used to do this with my DC when they were young. As long as you stick to the correct dosage for age you should be OK. I used to alternate calpol/ibuprofen and that seemed to be helpful. Add in plenty of cool drinks. Hope she feels better soon.

As I said she's very uncomfortable with headache and chills which is why I'm giving her medicine.

Is she awake? I wouldn’t wake her to give the medicine.

@whyayepetal Why are you advising what is expressly NOT advised by NHS for fever management in children?

For the sake of an hour, I would wait and give it in accordance with the instructions, they’re there for a reason.

If the max dose of Calpol and Ibuprofen isn’t working, I would call 111 and take it further as clearly the illness it quite bad and not able to be managed with medication administered within the scope of their safe levels at home

@Lmnop22

This is not true.

There is no correlation between temperature height and severity of illness.

It doesn't matter, apart from with small babies.

NHS advice is clear - forcing a temperature down with antipyretic medicine is not necessary.

She's awake

@FlissMumsnet Or maybe use the NHS advice which has excellent information and all relevant red flags?

That is exactly what we advise parents of our post op patients to do. So they’ve always go something on board.

Could you weigh her ? She is unlikely due my nurofen but may be due more Calpol. Any time I've taken mine to hospital they do that and adjust accordingly - always the Calpol never the nurofen. Could even weigh her before ringing 111 and they will probably give adjusted dose if not happy looking it up online ? I think the nurofen dosage is risk of stomach ulcer? Which iw why cant exceed

@InQuiresandplaceswheretheysing

That is for pain relief, not fever management,

I’ve been told by 3 or more doctors at various points to alternate calpol and ibuprofen. A gp told me and at Christmas time 2 a&e doctors told me to do it for my 6 month old baby

It’s different because I’m an adult and it was paracetamol but when I had a dental abscess (worst pain of my life, much worse than childbirth) I overdosed accidentally. I was basically in so much pain I was taking paracetamol and ibuprofen every 4 hours on the dot. This meant 6 doses of each in a 24 hr period. I suffered no ill effects but had to have some sort of antidote drip at hospital for hours for my liver.

Basically, it isn’t worth the risk. I’d just call 111 and ask.

@Beachbeach

It should only be done when specifically advised by a HCP.

Not as a general rule - it is clearly in the 'Don't' column of the NHS advice as linked above.

Anyone here is not acting as a HCP so should not be advising the OP to do this.

Why would you not alternate calpol and neurofen? They are different medicines?

Anyway if she is needing that much medicine and it’s not working I would consult a doctor as she might have tonsillitis or some other infection.