Ibuprofen (Nurofen) and paracetamol (Pamol) are two of the most commonly used medicines to treat pain and fever in children.

While medicines are not always needed to relieve pain or fever, it's important to know how to provide your child with safe and effective pain relief if it is ever necessary.

Pain and fever are common in children due to a variety of causes including injury, illness, surgery or teething.

You can give your child paracetamol or ibuprofen if they’re distressed or unwell. However, don’t use these medicines just to reduce a fever if your child is otherwise well. Also, don’t give your child both types of medicine, or alternate them. Clinical studies suggest that paracetamol and ibuprofen are similarly effective in treating pain in children.

Fever in children.

If your child has a fever, it means their body temperature is above normal. Around 37ºC is normal. A digital thermometer is the best type to use to get an accurate temperature reading.

A fever is usually a normal response of a child’s immune system to a virus or bacterial infection. Medicines are not always needed to relieve your child's fever – most infants and children can tolerate low-grade fever (eg, 38°–38.5° C) without medicine, and often respond to clear fluids such as water, and comfort.

For more information on fever in children click here:
https://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/conditions-and-treatments/diseases-and-illnesses/fever/fever-children