Ibuprofen or Paracetamol? What Parents Really Need to Know

This blog only provides tips, tricks and hints and does not replace a doctor visit. For severe symptoms, always consult a doctor.

It's the middle of the night. Your child is burning up, the thermometer reads 39.7 °C. You're standing in front of the medicine cabinet with two options – paracetamol suppositories and ibuprofen syrup. Which one do you give? And can you alternate between them?

The most important thing upfront: Both medications are safe and effective when you dose by weight and respect the minimum intervals between doses. The differences in how they work and their approved age ranges are what guide the choice — and that's exactly what we'll cover.

Important note: This article does not replace professional medical advice. If in doubt or in an emergency, always contact your GP or emergency services.

What Is the Difference Between Ibuprofen and Paracetamol?

Both medications reduce fever and relieve pain — but ibuprofen also has anti-inflammatory properties and works slightly stronger. Paracetamol is approved from 3 months of age; ibuprofen only from 6 months. Both are considered safe first choices for feverish children when the dosage is correct.

	Paracetamol	Ibuprofen
Takes effect	~30–60 min	~30–60 min
Duration	4–6 hours	6–8 hours
Fever reduction	good	slightly stronger
Anti-inflammatory	no	yes
Pain relief	good	slightly stronger
Minimum age	3 months (from 5 kg / 11 lbs)	6 months (from 6 kg / 13 lbs)
Forms	syrup, suppositories, tablets	syrup, suppositories, tablets

When to Use Paracetamol

For infants from 3 months (ibuprofen is only approved from 6 months)
When your child has a sensitive stomach
For children with asthma (ibuprofen may worsen breathing issues in some children)
When your child hasn't eaten or won't drink

When to Use Ibuprofen

When there's also inflammation involved (ear infection, sore throat, teething pain)
When paracetamol alone isn't enough
For children 6 months and older who are drinking well

⚠️ Important: Never give ibuprofen on an empty stomach. It can irritate the stomach lining. Your child should have had at least something to drink or eat beforehand.

How Do I Dose the Right Medication for My Child?

The only rule that matters: dose by body weight, not by age. A heavy 2-year-old needs more than a light 4-year-old. Age ranges on packaging are rough guidelines only; the dosing table on the box shows you the exact amount in ml for each weight range.

Paracetamol Dosing

Single dose: 10–15 mg per kg of body weight
Minimum interval: 6 hours between doses
Maximum daily dose: 60 mg/kg (spread over max. 4 doses)

Ibuprofen Dosing

Single dose: 7–10 mg per kg of body weight
Minimum interval: 6–8 hours between doses
Maximum daily dose: 30 mg/kg (spread over max. 3 doses)

Example Calculation

Your child weighs 12 kg (26 lbs):

Medication	Single dose	Example
Paracetamol	10–15 mg/kg	120–180 mg per dose
Ibuprofen	7–10 mg/kg	84–120 mg per dose

💡 Tip: Write your child's weight on the medication box – so you don't have to find a scale in the middle of the night. The dosing syringes included with fever syrups show the correct amount in ml.

When did she last have paracetamol?

The question that drives everyone crazy at night. Mona tracks doses and intervals automatically, so no one doubles up.

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What Intervals Must I Keep Between Doses?

Giving doses too close together is one of the most common — and most dangerous — mistakes with children's fever medication. Paracetamol must not be given more often than every 6 hours; ibuprofen every 6–8 hours. These limits apply even if the fever rises again in between.

Medication	Minimum interval	Max. daily doses
Paracetamol	6 hours	4 doses
Ibuprofen	6–8 hours	3 doses

This means: if you give paracetamol at 10 PM, the earliest you can give the next dose is 4 AM — even if the fever climbs again at 2 AM.

Why this matters: The body needs time to break down the active ingredient. If you give the next dose too early, it can accumulate — with serious consequences:

Paracetamol overdose can damage the liver
Ibuprofen overdose can harm the kidneys and stomach

🚨 Warning: Never exceed the maximum daily dose. When in doubt, skip a dose and contact your GP rather than giving too much. Paracetamol overdose is one of the most common childhood poisonings.

Is It Safe to Alternate Both Medications?

In principle yes — but NHS guidance advises against routinely alternating the two unless a health professional tells you to, because the risk of mix-ups and overdose increases. Studies show alternating can lower fever slightly faster, but the advantage is modest and the error risk at night without careful documentation is real.

Why Caution Is Needed

Mix-up risk: At night, under stress, sleep-deprived – when did you give which medication? The error rate goes up significantly.
Overdose risk: If you lose track, both medications can be given too frequently.
No clear advantage: The temperature may drop slightly faster, but lowering fever isn't the goal — your child's comfort is what matters.

When Your GP Recommends It

Some GPs recommend alternating for very high fever above 40 °C that barely responds to a single medication. In that case:

First give one medication (e.g., paracetamol)
After 3–4 hours, give the other (e.g., ibuprofen) — only if fever hasn't dropped sufficiently
Each medication individually must still follow its minimum intervals (paracetamol → paracetamol: at least 6 hours)
Document exactly what you gave and when

💡 Tip: This is exactly where it gets stressful – keeping track of two medications with different intervals in the middle of the night. With Mona, you log every dose precisely and instantly see when the next one is earliest possible.

What Else Parents Should Know About Fever Medication

Fever medication doesn't fight the infection — it relieves discomfort. This matters: you're not giving medication because the thermometer reads 38.7 °C, but because your child is visibly suffering. Is your child drinking, active, sleeping reasonably? Then no medication is needed.

Lowering Fever Isn't Always Necessary

Fever is a defence mechanism. The body raises its temperature to fight off pathogens. Don't automatically reach for medication the moment the thermometer hits 38.5 °C. What matters is: Is your child drinking? Are they responsive? Are they maybe even playing? A child with 39 °C who's still active doesn't necessarily need medication. A child with 38.5 °C who's lying listlessly and won't drink, does.

Suppositories or Syrup?

Syrup: More precise dosing, usually better accepted
Suppositories: When the child is vomiting or refuses the syrup
Important: Don't use suppositories during diarrhoea — the active ingredient won't be absorbed

Aspirin Is Off-Limits

🚨 Never give aspirin to children under 16 (risk of Reye's syndrome). It can trigger Reye's syndrome — a rare but life-threatening condition affecting the liver and brain. Not even "just this once" or if nothing else is available.

When to Seek Emergency Care?

If your child shows any of the following warning signs, fever medication won't help — you need to act immediately, regardless of the temperature reading.

In babies under 3 months, a temperature of 38°C or above needs urgent medical advice — contact a GP or call NHS 111 straight away (call 999 or go to A&E if your baby seems seriously unwell).

🚨 Call 999 or go to A&E immediately if your child:

has a febrile seizure (convulsions, loss of consciousness)
has a stiff neck or is bothered by light
has a rash that doesn't fade under pressure (the glass test)
has difficulty breathing or very rapid breathing
is unresponsive, lethargic or hard to wake
has bluish lips or skin

Don't wait — see your GP, call NHS 111, or go directly to A&E. If the fever persists for 5 days or more, see your GP even without other warning signs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ibuprofen and Paracetamol

From what age can my child take ibuprofen?

Ibuprofen is approved for children from 6 months of age and at least 6 kg (13 lbs) body weight. For younger babies, paracetamol is the only option. For premature infants or very small children, always consult your GP first — the minimum weight matters more than the age.

What if the fever doesn't come down despite medication?

A fever reducer typically lowers temperature by about 1–1.5 °C. If the fever barely responds after 1–2 hours, this signals a strong infection — not that you've underdosed. Wait out the full dosing interval. If the fever doesn't drop at all or spikes right back up very high, contact your GP.

Can I give paracetamol and ibuprofen on the same day?

Yes — but not simultaneously, and only if each medication respects its own minimum intervals. Alternating between the two should be done on your GP's recommendation, not on your own initiative. The main risk isn't the medications themselves, but losing track of timing and accidentally giving too much.

How long should I give fever medication?

Only as long as your child is visibly suffering. Fever medication treats symptoms — it's not an antibiotic or a cure. Once your child is drinking, active, and the fever is subsiding, you can skip doses. If fever persists for 5 days or more even without other warning signs, see your GP.

Why does the package say an age if I dose by weight?

Age indications are safety thresholds (e.g., "from 6 months" for ibuprofen), not dosing instructions. They tell you: don't use before this age. The actual dose — how many ml of syrup or mg of active ingredient — is based entirely on body weight. The dosing table on the packaging translates this for you.

Does it matter whether I use syrup or suppositories?

Both forms contain the same amount of active ingredient when correctly dosed. The difference: syrup works slightly faster (first effect in ~20–30 min); suppositories are absorbed a bit more slowly (~30–60 min). Choose suppositories if your child is vomiting or refuses the syrup. During diarrhoea, don't use suppositories — the active ingredient won't be absorbed.

Summary: Which Medication When?

Situation	Recommendation
Infant under 3 months with fever	Urgent — NHS 111 / GP straight away (999 if seriously unwell). No medication on your own.
Child 3+ months, sensitive stomach, won't drink	Paracetamol
Child 6+ months with inflammation (ear, throat)	Ibuprofen (drinking well)
Paracetamol not working well enough	Ibuprofen as next dose (check intervals)
Alternating both medications	Only on GP's advice + document everything
Fever 5 days or more, or warning signs	See your GP today or call NHS 111
Child drinking, playing, sleeping reasonably well	No medication needed — observe