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These are 2 of the most commonly used medications for kids. Our kids always spike fevers or feel pain at some point ot another. I always get questions from family on friends about which is the best one to choose and when to use it.

Just to clarify, you don’t always have to treat fever in kids with medications, you can treat only when they are uncomfortable (unless your doctor recommends treating all the time for reasons pertaining to your own child).

Below is an easily understandable comparison table to help. And at the end, I share my personal preference.

Basics to know

Tylenol and ibuprofen work on the body through 2 different mechanisms so even when you use both together, they are working on different body centers.

Tylenol can be used on younger children as yong as 3 months. But remember to speak with your doctor if your child under than 3 months old has a fever.

Ibuprofen has anti-inflammatory effects so may be preferred in cases such as illness that cause swelling, sore throats, teething etc. However, ibuprofen can be a little irritating to the stomach. But this occurs if multiple doses are taken (1 dose doesn’t cause significant irritation)

Both medications can be given at the same time or alternately during an illness.

When using alternately, they may overlap every 3 hours and provide your child with some relief.  It is best to speak to your doctor to help you with scheduling this.

Now, which should you choose?

Let the easy comparison table help guide you. It breaks it down by age, when to give and when to use with caution (speak to your doctor before using in these cases).

How much should I give?

One thing to remember is that all medications in kids are best dosed by weight. Always confirm your child’s weight and adjust as they grow. 

This chart is an easily adaptable chart from healthychildren.org to help gude you on dosing of Acetaminophen

For ibuprofen, check my blog comparing Infant versus Children’s ibuprofen

First, check your child’s weight then find the dose below based on that.

Acetaminophen dosing

Ibuprofen dosing

My personal choice:

I prefer to give iburpofen in most cases.

I like its’s anti-inflammatory qualities and also give it when my kids have sore throat, hand-foot-mouth or sores

It also lasts longer so pain and fever wil be controlled for a longer period of time (6 hours) especially overnight.

REMEMBER: Always store medications safely: here is our personal medication lockbox

For other options: shop my ‘Kids health must-haves’ on amazon storefont: 

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