In the article we will try to figure out which is better: Nurofen or Paracetamol.
Every parent faces a fever in a child. This unpleasant symptom accompanies many diseases, especially during the autumn-winter period of a tense epidemiological situation. And if, when the thermometer is below 38 degrees, experts do not recommend lowering the temperature, then a higher temperature will require measures to alleviate the patient's condition.
Difficult choice
Parents have a choice: use a drug based on paracetamol or ibuprofen. Of course, the best option is to select the drug together with the local pediatrician. This will help to avoid side reactions and get an effective means of combating high temperatures. Before use"Nurofen" or "Paracetamol" should carefully study the attached instructions and strictly observe the frequency and duration of use of the antipyretic.
"Nurofen": basic information
The drug has antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects and is available in different forms, which allows it to be used for patients of different ages. The drug is produced in the form of tablets, suspensions, suppositories, syrup and even gel for topical use.
Nurofen tablets do not contain hormonal substances, they are produced on the basis of ibuprofen.
Product description
The drug is a fast-acting drug. It begins to act 15 minutes after ingestion. The main purpose of the drug is to relieve pain of various origins, including headache, dental, joint and muscle. The drug is no less effective at high temperatures against the background of acute respiratory infections, acute respiratory viral infections and other infectious and inflammatory diseases.
Contraindications
Contraindications for taking Nurofen are:
- Individual intolerance to ibuprofen or other components that make up the drug.
- Heart failure.
- A dysfunctional kidney or liver disorder.
- Kidney diseases that occur in an acute form, as well as during an exacerbation of chronic pathologies.
- Hepatitis.
- Gastrointestinal pathology, accompanied by the formation of erosions and ulcers.
- Hemorrhagic syndrome.
During pregnancy and lactation, the drug can be used with extreme caution and after consulting a doctor.
Side effects
If you violate the recommendations in terms of the frequency of taking the drug and the duration of its use, digestive disorders may begin, accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Bloating.
- Diarrhea.
- Stomach soreness.
- Exacerbation of existing pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract.
More rare manifestations
"Nurofen" can cause an allergic reaction, the signs of which are peeling and itching, rash and redness of the skin. In more rare cases, the following undesirable consequences of taking the drug are possible:
- Disturbance of visual function.
- Sudden pressure drops in the arteries.
- Tachycardia.
- Functional disorder in the liver.
- Nephrotic syndrome.
- Pain in the head.
- Insomnia.
- Fatigue.
- Emotional excitability.
Numerous positive reviews confirm the effectiveness of Nurofen in pain relief and fever reduction. Parents choose it as a safe and effective remedy for alleviating a child's condition with colds.
But it can be difficult to decide what to buy at the pharmacy - Nurofen or Paracetamol.
"Paracetamol": the maindetails
"Paracetamol" is included in the category of drugs that have a pronounced antipyretic effect. What is included in the composition of "Paracetamol"? The active ingredient in the drug is paracetamol.
This component has a mild analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect. We reviewed the composition of the Nurofen tablets above.
The drug begins to work 40 minutes after taking.
Indications
As in the case of Nurofen, there are quite a few forms of the drug available in pharmacies, including syrup, tablets, suppositories, etc. "Paracetamol" is prescribed in the following cases:
- Relieve mild pain including toothache, headache, sprains and burns.
- Decrease in body temperature against the background of colds or other pathologies of an infectious and inflammatory nature.
Indications for the use of "Paracetamol" in the instructions are described in detail.
Contraindications for taking medication
It is not recommended to prescribe the remedy for the following diseases and conditions:
- Individual reaction to paracetamol.
- Disruption of the liver or kidneys.
- Pathologies of the circulatory system.
Children with hyperbilirubinemia are prescribed the drug with increased precautions. The drug is contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation.
It is well tolerated by patients, but requires strict adherence to the prescribed instructionstreatment regimen and dosage. The dose of Paracetamol for a child will be given below.
Negative reactions
The most common adverse drug reactions include:
- Dyspeptic disorders, accompanied by nausea and vomiting, as well as pain syndrome.
- An allergic reaction that manifests itself in the form of itching, rash and swelling.
- In rare cases, there may be a disturbance in the urinary system.
- Pathological processes in the field of hematopoiesis, including anemia, thrombocytopenia, etc.
Despite the existing contraindications, "Paracetamol" is still popular with parents who want to bring down the temperature of the child. A variety of forms of the drug allows you to give it at any age. The doctor will help you choose what to buy - Nurofen or Paracetamol.
Features of the use of drugs
When choosing an anesthetic and antipyretic drug for a child, attention should be paid to the following features of the use of the means we describe:
- Antipyretic drugs have no effect on the cause of the pathology and are not able to reduce the duration of the fever.
- Antipyretics should be given to a child older than three months only if the thermometer has reached high levels (more than 38.5), or if the temperature affects the child's condition, he becomes lethargic, loses appetite, complains of pain in muscles and head.
- If the child has a history of heart or lung damage,as well as febrile convulsive syndrome, you need to start bringing down the temperature without waiting for it to rise to 38.5 degrees. What is better, "Nurofen" or "Paracetamol" to give in this case, you will have to decide on your own.
- You can not self-prescribe an antipyretic drug to a child during the first three months of life. An exception is considered a single dose of the drug by a child to reduce the temperature that occurred after vaccination.
- The dosage of drugs should be calculated taking into account the weight of the child. Age in this case is an approximate indicator. The dose of paracetamol for a child is 10-15 mg/kg, while the dose of ibuprofen is 5-10 mg/kg. If you have any doubts when calculating the dose, you should seek the help of a doctor.
- You must not violate the frequency of receptions and dosage of drugs prescribed by the doctor. It is allowed to take "Paracetamol" no more than four times a day, while the break between them should be at least four hours. Nurofen is taken three times a day approximately every six hours.
- Drugs with antipyretic effect reduce the temperature by an average of 1-2 degrees. This, as a rule, is enough to alleviate the condition of the child. Do not exceed the dosage of the drug in order to achieve normal body temperature.
- It is not recommended to take antipyretics in a course, as this can blur the clinical picture of the pathology. Drinking the drug is allowed again only when the temperature rises again to the criticallevel.
- Without a doctor's prescription, you can not use "Nurofen" or "Paracetamol" within the period specified in the instructions.
- Antipyretic drugs do not mix well with antibiotics, as their use complicates the assessment of the effectiveness of the treatment.
- Only in case of emergency and with the permission of a specialist, you can combine two antipyretic drugs. As a rule, these tools are interchangeable.
- You should also pay special attention to the combination of Paracetamol with other cold medicines containing a similar active ingredient. This can provoke an overdose of paracetamol and adversely affect the functioning of the liver and kidneys.
Thus, you should carefully consider the choice of antipyretic drug, especially when it comes to treating a child. Abuse "Nurofen" or "Paracetamol" should not be. These funds should only be used when absolutely necessary.
The article compared Nurofen and Paracetamol. We hope it will be useful for readers.
