confused over calpol/nurofen

[DorothyL]

Can you/should you give both or not? I always thought yes but then some years ago a French doctor said latest research said not to.

Ds is boiling and calpol isn't touching it

you can give both but advice is to see which works and to stick with it.

but if dc is 'just' hot but not too unwell the I would not treat the fever. fever is good and helps the body fight the illness.

Calpol is paracetamol and nurofen is ibuprofen so you can give both. Best to space them so you can give continual coverage (ie, Calpol at 8am and 2pm, nurofen at 11am if you see what I mean) Just be aware that Calpol also make calprofen which is actually ibuprofen not paracetamol.

^^agree about letting the fever do its job where possible though

I was told quite recently by the GP that it was fine to give both - alternate doses keeping to the dosage instructions of each.
I know how I feel with a high temperature - bloody awful. I always give one/other/both if my DCs have a fever.

He is hot and sleeping

I've always believed you can give both if needed but to alternate and leave at least 2 hours between - as ispymincepie has explained.

If it's a high fever then ibuprofen will reduce the temperature more dramatically than paracetamol but it can't be taken on an empty stomach as there is a risk of stomach bleeding and carries a higher chance of liver damage if given too often. I try to stick to paracetomal for DD when she is ill and only give if it's a high grade fever over 40 degrees or she's in pain.

Sometimes the fever doesn't respond well to the paracetamol and it is instances such as that I would go for the ibuprofen. DD has just had sacrlet fever and I did have to reach for the ibuprofen a few times but mainly got by on calpol (and the antibiotics of course)

He hasn't eaten anything since last night

as long as he has plenty of fluids, going without food for a day or 2 is not a concern.
if in doubt see your gp.

You use one and then if it is not helping you can then use the other. You just don't give them both doses at the same time:

Can I give my child paracetamol and ibuprofen at the same time?

If he's not eating then nurofen is a no no. I was given ibuprofen on an empty stomach and was in agony

yes I agree, as long as you keep him well hydrated I wouldn't worry OP ..