Paracetamol or ibuprofen for a child?
Both lower fever about equally. They differ in precautions, minimum age and intervals between doses.
Last updated: 29 September 2026
| Paracetamol | Ibuprofen | |
|---|---|---|
| From | per the product leaflet: under 3 months only on a doctor's recommendation; Paracetamol Hasco and suppositories: under 2 years on a doctor's order; Pedicetamol: under 3 years after consulting a doctor; Panadol: not recommended under 3 months, and under 2 years contact a doctor | usually from 3 months and 5 kg; MIG dla dzieci from 6 months, MIG dla dzieci Forte from 1 year and 10 kg; Ibum, Ibufen, Ibuprom: under 6 months only after consulting a doctor |
| Dose | from the leaflet table (about 10-15 mg/kg) | fixed dose from the leaflet table (about 7-10 mg/kg) |
| Interval | ≥ 4 h; 6 h after a 15 mg/kg dose (Apap dla dzieci Forte, Pedicetamol; the calculator: 4 h only between doses of up to 10 mg/kg (Apap dla dzieci Forte, Pedicetamol); Paracetamol Hasco: leaflet 4-6 h, the calculator and the Android app 4 h only between doses of up to 10.5 mg/kg) | ≥ 6 h; 8 h where the leaflet gives 6-8 h with 3 doses a day |
| Max per day | 4 doses, 60 mg/kg | 3 doses (4 only where the leaflet table allows), 30 mg/kg |
| Lasts | 4-6 h | 6-8 h |
| Anti-inflammatory | no | yes |
| Caution with | liver or kidney disease, dehydration, undernourishment, other paracetamol products | dehydration (vomiting, diarrhoea, poor drinking), chickenpox, asthma after NSAIDs, kidney or liver disease, ulcers |
Choose paracetamol when
- the baby is under 3 months or under 5 kg: no ibuprofen, and paracetamol only on a doctor's recommendation,
- the child is vomiting, has diarrhoea or drinks little: ibuprofen can harm the kidneys of a dehydrated child,
- there is chickenpox.
Choose ibuprofen when
- pain has an inflammatory component: ear, throat, teething, injury,
- you need a longer effect (overnight),
- paracetamol is not enough and the child drinks well.
Both?
Not routinely and never at the same time. NICE: give one medicine first; consider the other only if the child is still distressed before the next dose of the first is due. Each has its own interval and daily limit; the Paracetamol Hasco leaflet warns that using paracetamol together with NSAIDs increases the risk of kidney problems. See the guide on alternating.
These numbers are conversions from leaflets and guidelines. Before giving a medicine, confirm them at the source:
- NHS: paracetamol for children · NHS: ibuprofen for children
- NICE NG143: fever in under 5s · AAP HealthyChildren.org
- Polish medicines register (URPL): official leaflets of the products listed here
- Leaflets in the Polish register: Apap dla dzieci Forte (40 mg/ml) · Paracetamol Hasco (120 mg/5 ml) · Panadol dla dzieci (120 mg/5 ml) · Pedicetamol (100 mg/ml) · Czopki 125 mg (125 mg) · Czopki 250 mg (250 mg) · Czopki 500 mg (500 mg) · Nurofen dla dzieci Forte (200 mg/5 ml) · Ibum (100 mg/5 ml) · Ibum Forte (200 mg/5 ml) · Ibufen dla dzieci (100 mg/5 ml) · Ibufen dla dzieci Forte (200 mg/5 ml) · Ibuprom dla dzieci Forte (40 mg/ml) · MIG dla dzieci (20 mg/ml) · MIG dla dzieci Forte (40 mg/ml) · Nurofen czopki 60 mg (60 mg) · Nurofen czopki 125 mg (125 mg)
- Dosing sources: every leaflet table as the calculator and the Android app encode it, the leaflet date, the register link and every added rule, with its reason
- Your own country's medicines regulator and the leaflet in the box always take precedence.
Tired of keeping track on a scrap of paper?
Oh Fever records what you gave and when. Free for one child.
Shows the time since the last dose, the doses recorded in 24 hours and the leaflet tables and sentences word for word, with a link to the official leaflet. It does not calculate or suggest doses.
Download on the App StoreAlso shows the row of the leaflet table for your child's weight and age, counts down to the next dose the leaflet allows and warns before the daily limit is crossed.
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Polish Register of Medicinal Products (URPL), leaflets: Apap dla dzieci Forte, Paracetamol Hasco, Panadol dla dzieci, Pedicetamol, Nurofen dla dzieci Forte, Ibum, Ibum Forte, Ibufen dla dzieci, Ibufen dla dzieci Forte, Ibuprom dla dzieci Forte, MIG dla dzieci, MIG dla dzieci Forte, Nurofen czopki 60 mg, Nurofen czopki 125 mg; Paracetamol Hasco suppositories 125 mg, 250 mg, 500 mg
NHS: Paracetamol for children
NHS: Ibuprofen for children
NICE NG143: Fever in under 5s
This content is for information only and does not replace your doctor or the medicine leaflet. Oh Fever and this website are not a medical device. Doses on this page come from the dosing tables in the leaflets of products registered in Poland, converted to millilitres and rounded to the syringe marks, never above the table. Check the strength on the package before giving any medicine. For high fever, any fever in an infant under 3 months, or worrying symptoms, contact a doctor.