Acetaminophen vs. Ibuprofen

sundeviljenns · Senior member **Joined:** 01 Nov 2004 **Posts:** 694

Both acetaminophen and ibuprofen work as well as asprin (you should never give asprin to a baby) to relieve pain or fever, though they work differently in the body and have different side effects. For many years acetaminophen was the first choice for nonasprin pain relief. Then over the counter ibuprofen liquids became available, and many pediatricians started to recommend them because they are slightly more powerful and longer lasting. Ibuprofen should be given only to children older than 6 months. Side effects of acetaminophen: none when taken as directed. Can harm the liver if child is given a large overdose. Side effects of ibuprofen: potential for stomach irritation. Some pediatricians recommend the practice of alternating doses of acetaminophen and ibuprofen, but others say it could be harmful.

*I took this from the book What to Expect the First Year, page 570. I didn't copy everything (it is rather long), just the info I thought was pertinent.

Guest · Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2005 5:53 pm Post subject:

Well I know my doc recommened using tylenol... but I never heard of it being giving before the shot??? Maybe you should wait to see if Courtney has a reaction. Noelle has never had a bad reaction to any her shots, Courtney may be the same way...

Good luck Nanna Wink

Boy your a good grandmother

sundeviljenns · Senior member **Joined:** 01 Nov 2004 **Posts:** 694

From the info I found, you should only give Courtney Tylenol. She is too young for the ibuprofen. It seems that Tylenol is a little milder too!

TheSockStealer · Moderator **Joined:** 15 Jun 2005 **Posts:** 4465

When Hayden gets shots I ALWAYS give him tylenol before he goes in. It helps sooo much.

I would wait on the Ibuprofen until she is 6 months too. That's what it says on my bottle.

Now that Hayden is older than six months, my pediatrician recommended alternating between Tylenol and Motrin if he has a fever.

Also, when Hayden was about 5 months old, I had to take him to the emergency room and they gave him a buttload of Motrin to get his fever down. The doctor there told me that the amount on the bottles was a very conversative amount and to give a little bit more seeing how infants tend to spit some of it out.

kzarvey · Full member **Joined:** 13 Apr 2005 **Posts:** 462

When you take her in ask the doctor about the dosage. With my daughter the doctor gave me a chart that showed how much to give for each weight range for most of the tylenol products, up to several years old. I taped it on the inside of a cupboard door & referred to it hundreds of times for the first three years or so. i always knew I was giving her the right amount.

crissy571 · Senior member **Joined:** 12 Mar 2005 **Posts:** 3666

In my experience, Motrin is much better for a fever than Tylenol. When I couldn't get my daughters' fevers down with Tylenol (ear infections, teething, etc.), the doc told me to alternate Tylenol with Motrin. She said both could be taken every 4 hours so every 2 hours I would give a dose of Tylenol, then 2 hrs later a dose of Motrin. SInce they aren't the same medicine, she said I would not be overdosing her. The Motrin was what would really kick the fever down. Courtney's doc should have a chart that will tell you how much of each to use for her weight.

®uby · Senior member **Joined:** 09 Apr 2005 **Posts:** 4878

For me, Ibuprofin works better for headaches, cramps, fever etc. Tylenol does almost nothing.

wenrob · Senior member **Joined:** 14 Jan 2005 **Posts:** 2331

Guest · Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2005 11:16 pm Post subject:

I asked my doc about how how much to give Fallon before her shots and he said 0.3mL. Fallon is atleast 10lbs tho so you might wanna give her a little less?!