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Antipyretics for high fever: strong and effective

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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An elevated body temperature always causes anxiety. It becomes clear that some kind of infectious and inflammatory process is developing in the body. Many people think that it is better to play it safe and take a pill, especially at night. But is this true and at what temperature should you take an antipyretic? And what if a child has a fever?

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Indications antipyretics for fever

The immune system reacts to the occurrence of a damaging factor and its elimination by increasing the temperature. In a warmer environment, the protein interferon is produced, blocking the reproduction of pathogenic viruses. The higher the temperature, the more actively it is synthesized and many infectious agents simply die.

But to what level can the mercury column on the thermometer rise without harming your body, because this is a big burden on the lungs and heart? Doctors recommend starting to bring down the temperature after 38º-39ºС.

Much depends on how a person reacts to it. Some people feel very bad even with insignificant indicators. In this case, you should resort to antipyretic drugs, without waiting for the recommended degrees.

Particular concern arises when children are sick and it is necessary to decide at what temperature to give the child an antipyretic. Parents should resort to drugs in addition to those for adults with high values if:

  • the temperature rises very rapidly;
  • vomiting or diarrhea is present;
  • there are chills, confusion, cold extremities;
  • The child does not play, but lies and complains of feeling unwell and having a headache.

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Release form

There are enough fever medications in different forms on the pharmaceutical market. Depending on preferences and indications, these can be rectal suppositories, tablets, suspensions, powders, capsules, injection solutions. Every home medicine cabinet should contain at least one remedy in case of sudden illness.

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Antipyretic suppositories

Adults are usually able to take any form of antipyretic, but for small children it is more convenient to put a suppository. This type can be preferred if the temperature rise is accompanied by vomiting or there are digestive tract disorders.

The negative aspects of using suppositories include irritation of the anal mucosa and provocation of diarrhea.

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Antipyretic injections

Most often, injections for high temperatures are given when calling an ambulance, in a hospital setting. Often, the doctor combines several drugs in one injection, he calculates the necessary dose depending on the patient's age and condition. In addition to an antipyretic, such as analgin, the solution includes drugs to relieve muscle spasms (no-shpa or papaverine), a sedative (diphenhydramine, suprastin or diazolin).

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What pills can I take to bring down my temperature?

The most common and familiar form of antipyretic drugs is tablets. For both adults and children, they contain the same active and auxiliary substances and differ only in dosage. Tablets are not suitable for all ages, because they need to be swallowed, which small children cannot do.

The most effective and safe are drugs based on paracetamol. In addition to the ability to bring down the temperature, they have a mild analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect. They are quickly absorbed into the blood, without disrupting metabolic processes and without causing harm to the digestive organs. They can be used for children with a temperature of 39ºС and above.

Antipyretics for high temperature without paracetamol

In addition to the active substance paracetamol, antipyretic drugs are made on the basis of aspirin, amidopyrine, ibuprofen, nimesil, analgin, voltaren, butadion, etc. These are stronger antipyretic drugs at high temperatures.

Not all of them are applicable to children, as they can negatively affect important systems of the child's body. Parents should check whether the drug contains acetylsalicylic acid, amidopyrine, antipyrine, phenacetin, nimesulide, because sometimes adults simply break the tablet they were treating themselves with into 2 parts and give the child half.

Folk remedies for fever at high temperature

People have their own methods to reduce temperature:

  • take one part vinegar to 5 parts water, mix. Wipe your temples, wrists, inside of your elbows, under your knees with this solution using a cotton pad;
  • A spoon of elder flowers is poured with a glass of boiling water and infused for 30-40 minutes. Drink 70-100g before meals.

Effective antipyretics are any diaphoretic fruit drinks, infusions and decoctions:

  • fresh, frozen raspberries or jam made from them (a couple of spoons per cup of warm water);
  • Linden flowers, plantain, chamomile, coltsfoot in equal proportions are placed in a thermos, poured with boiling water and infused. At high concentrations, dilute with warm water;
  • prepare a decoction from currant leaves, birch buds, and peppermint

Drinking plenty of fluids will quickly rid the body of the waste products of pathogenic bacteria, which means it will lower the temperature and you can use the following as a remedy:

  • warm water with added honey and lemon;
  • slightly warmed milk with honey;
  • brewed rose hips;
  • in summer watermelon juice;
  • In winter, a drink made from apples and other dried fruits.

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List of antipyretic drugs for high temperature

All antipyretics are divided into analgesics-antipyretics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). They have different mechanisms of action on the body. The former are safer for children. Here are the names of the most commonly used:

  • paracetamol;
  • Nurofen;
  • panadol;
  • eferalgan;
  • bofen;
  • ibufen;
  • piaron;
  • arofen;
  • ibunorm;
  • cefecon.

For adults, NSAIDs can also be used, they have an additional anti-inflammatory property. In addition to those listed, effective antipyretics for high temperatures include:

  • aspirin;
  • analgin;
  • ibuprofen;
  • diclofenac;
  • voltaren;
  • rinza;
  • coldrex;
  • theraflu.

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Dosing and administration

Any of the existing forms of antipyretic drugs should be used taking into account the doses and age restrictions prescribed in the instructions. Some require calculating the dose depending on body weight, observing strict time intervals between doses. Without a doctor's prescription, all means for reducing temperature can be taken for no more than 3 days. Then, if it persists, you should consult a doctor.

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Application for children

Pediatricians recommend using antipyretics for children under 2 months at a temperature of 38ºС, after this age - 38.5ºС, if the child's condition is satisfactory. Here you need to focus more on how the baby feels, whether he is active and follow the doctor's instructions.

The form in which to use the drugs depends on age and individual tolerance. Suppositories are suitable for very small children; they can be used from birth. Children drink suspensions and syrups more readily than tablets, but they contain flavorings that can cause allergies and sometimes nausea and vomiting. Older children can easily cope with powders and tablets.

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Use antipyretics for fever during pregnancy

As is known, during pregnancy it is best not to take any medications at all. However, there are situations, including a temperature above 38 0 C, lasting more than 3 days, which pose a threat to the life of the expectant mother and fetus. Heat has the most dangerous effect on the embryo in the 4-14th week of pregnancy. At high temperatures, protein synthesis is disrupted, and this can lead to a miscarriage or provoke fetal malformations.

It is best to seek help from a doctor and not self-medicate. The safest drugs for reducing high temperature include paracetamol or other drugs based on it (acetaminophen, panadol), ibuprofen, and a more acceptable form of the drug for pregnant women is suppositories.

Contraindications

Any antipyretic drug can cause an allergy to its components. They are also contraindicated for use in severe kidney and liver dysfunction, blood diseases.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are more toxic to the body, so they are not recommended for children or pregnant women. They can cause harm in cases of heart failure, peptic ulcer, and gastrointestinal bleeding.

Syrups contain sugar and should be taken with caution by diabetics.

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Side effects antipyretics for fever

Taking antipyretic drugs can cause various side effects: allergic reactions in the form of urticaria, swelling, itching. There are frequent cases of pain in the epigastric region, nausea, vomiting. Bronchospasm and anemia may occur. Suppositories sometimes loosen the stool, irritate the mucous membrane of the colon.

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Overdose

Failure to follow the instructions may result in an overdose. Taking the medicine for too long or taking large doses may cause blood count abnormalities, dizziness, headache, renal colic, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and other dangerous symptoms. This condition requires immediate medical attention.

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Interactions with other drugs

Simultaneous administration of antipyretic drugs with other medications can increase or decrease the rate of their absorption, have an undesirable effect on organs. For example, barbiturates reduce the antipyretic effect of paracetamol, anticonvulsants increase its toxicity to the liver.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs should not be taken simultaneously with aspirin and other NSAIDs. Antihypertensive drugs reduce their effectiveness, corticosteroids increase the risk of ulcers and internal bleeding, etc.

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Storage conditions

Any antipyretic, like other medications, are stored in dark places, inaccessible to children, at a temperature not exceeding 25 0 C. If the drug requires other storage conditions, for example, in the refrigerator after opening liquid forms, this must be indicated in the instructions.

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Shelf life

The usual shelf life of antipyretic drugs is 2-3 years (indicated on the packaging and in the instructions), after which their use is prohibited. Syrups and suspensions that are not completely used can be used within six months after opening the package.

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Analogues

There are many similar drugs from different manufacturers in pharmacy chains. In addition to the same active substance, they may contain additional ones. Thus, based on paracetamol, you can buy products called anapirone, apap, ifimol, milistan, panadol, rapidol, etc.

Analogues of ibuprofen are Arofen, Afida, Ibunorm, Ibuprex, Nurosan, etc.

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Reviews

According to reviews, the most frequently used antipyretics for many people are paracetamol, analgin and aspirin. If the doctor prescribes another remedy, then most people follow the prescription and buy the one prescribed.

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Attention!

To simplify the perception of information, this instruction for use of the drug "Antipyretics for high fever: strong and effective" translated and presented in a special form on the basis of the official instructions for medical use of the drug. Before use read the annotation that came directly to medicines.

Description provided for informational purposes and is not a guide to self-healing. The need for this drug, the purpose of the treatment regimen, methods and dose of the drug is determined solely by the attending physician. Self-medication is dangerous for your health.

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