Painkillers are a key element of every home first aid kit. While for adults the choice of the drug seems obvious, before giving the medicine to the child, our hand will tremble whether it will not threaten the health of the toddler.
First of all, a possible allergy to a given ingredient of the drug should be ruled out, which is why it is so important to discuss this issue with your doctor. The consultation will also protect us from unwanted interactions with other medications, if our child is taking them.
The two most recommended ingredients
Paracetamol and ibuprofen are analgesic and antipyretic ingredients that are branded with the names of many manufacturers. The first of the substances is allowed after the age of 3 months, while the second is allowed to be administered to the child when he reaches the first six months of age. Ibuprofen, unlike paracetamol, will also fight inflammation. Both agents are available in syrup, as well as in suppositories, which are characterized by a high degree of safety.
If we are not dealing with inflammation, paracetamol is the first to be recommended, which can be used even by pregnant and lactating women without exposing the child to risky complications. In turn, ibuprofen will relieve teething, growing pains, migraine, and in adolescent girls menstrual pain. However, we should not use it when acute diarrhea occurs simultaneously with pain. Both ibuprofen and paracetamol provide relief 30 minutes to an hour after administration. Let us remember that suppositories are recommended for infants, and syrup for slightly older children, who have no problem with administering the syrup. The syrup is not recommended for nausea and vomiting, in other cases the benefits of its use will be felt by the child sooner than after using the suppository.
The use of painkillers
Follow the dose indicated on the package. When a child suffers from fever during an infection, let’s give the medicine at regular intervals, and when teething, it is best to limit it to use only before bedtime so that the baby sleeps soundly at night. Pains not related to colds are relieved only with a temporary portion.
Medications after the age of 12
Under no circumstances should you use drugs with aspirin, i.e. acetylsalicylic acid, which can have deadly consequences in children. Giving pyralgin to young children risks the development of Rey’s syndrome, which is associated with severe brain and liver damage. On the other hand, metamizole, commonly known as pyralgin, can lead to fatal agranulocytosis with a destructive effect on the kidneys, liver and bone marrow.