A member asked:

My daughter has a 103.5 fever started today. she just feels achy no headache, nausea, ear or throat pain. how often can i alternate ibuprfen/ tylenol (acetaminophen)?

4 doctors weighed in across 3 answers
Dr. Alan Levine answered

Specializes in Pediatrics

Do you need to?: If tylenol (acetaminophen) or Ibuprofen alone are adequate to control fever, there is no need to alternate the medications. If you feel the need to alternate, I have found alternating the medications every three hours to be helpful. Remember, neither will cure the cause of the fever, only reduce it.

Answered 5/11/2015

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It depends: Unless your child has a history of febrile seizure, i wouldn't recommend alternating Ibuprofen and acetamenophen (tylenol). I find it prevents mistakes of overdosing if you just stick with one that works. Either one is fine to treat fever and/or pain. Acetamenophen can be given as often as every 4h. Ibuprofen can be given every 6h. Just avoid using Ibuprofen constantly on an empty stomach.

Answered 6/25/2014

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See: Tylenol (acetaminophen) q4 Motrin q8 period dont have to alternate.

Answered 10/4/2016

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