Antipyretic Agents: Medications for Fever in Adults and Children

A high temperature is a signal that there are inflammatory processes in the body. Hyperthermia acts as a protective response, where specific substances, known as pyrogens, are released into the blood to fight inflammation. Common causes include infections and viruses. Medications are recommended only when a person begins to feel unwell.

Why Does Temperature Rise?

A temperature increase occurs with acute and chronic diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, protozoa, or fungi. Conditions and diseases causing non-infectious fever include:

• Allergic conditions,
• Internal organ hemorrhages,
• Trauma,
• Cancerous tumors,
• Presence of necrotic areas.

In addition to inflammatory processes, respiratory diseases and viral infections often present with fever:

• Tonsillitis: Accompanied by sore throat along with hyperthermia.
• Acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI) and influenza: Sudden temperature spike, followed by runny nose and other cold symptoms.
• Chickenpox: Characterized by febrile temperature, followed by a body rash in a few days.
• Urinary tract infections (e.g., cystitis, pyelonephritis): Fever with kidney pain or burning during urination.
• Abscess: Temperature fluctuates from normal to subfebrile.
• Appendicitis: Severe lower abdominal pain.
• Hemorrhagic fever: Skin rashes and muscle pain.
• Meningitis, encephalitis: Accompanied by severe headache, nausea, vision issues, and neck stiffness.

If the temperature reaches 38°C without clear symptoms, it may indicate:

• Oncological pathologies,
• Tuberculosis,
• Thyroid disorders,
• Allergic reactions,
• Neurological disorders.

Temperature increases are also common in:

• Infectious gastrointestinal diseases: Accompanied by abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.
• Pneumonia: Almost always accompanied by chest pain, shortness of breath, cough, and sweating.
• Hepatitis A: Yellowing of skin and eye sclera.
• Autoimmune diseases: Such as rheumatism, systemic lupus erythematosus.
• Reproductive system infections (e.g., prostatitis, oophoritis, salpingitis).
• Other viral diseases: Measles, rubella, mumps, mononucleosis.
• Sexually transmitted infections: Gonorrhea, syphilis, toxoplasmosis, trichomoniasis, chlamydia.

When to Lower the Temperature

Prolonged fever has a negative effect on the patient’s body, so antipyretics may be necessary. It is recommended to:

• Use antipyretics when the fever reaches 38°C or above for children, pregnant women, or those intolerant to high temperatures.
• For adults with flu or cold with a fever of 38.5°C or higher.

Do not reduce temperatures below 38°C.

After taking antipyretics, if the temperature returns to normal, there is no need for repeated medication. Dosages and intervals for each medication are outlined in their instructions. You can resume taking it if the fever returns.

Even slight fevers should be concerning in cases where:

• Fever was previously or is currently accompanied by convulsions,
• Fever is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, or severe headache,
• You have chronic illnesses.

Those with endocrine, blood, and cardiovascular diseases should closely monitor even mild fevers and consult with a doctor about lowering it as needed.

Antipyretics can help those who experience fever poorly. To alleviate uncomfortable symptoms, use suitable medications, such as those based on paracetamol. However, a doctor should select the appropriate medication.

Effective Antipyretics for Adults and Children

Antipyretics work by blocking the synthesis of temperature-raising substances. Key properties of antipyretics include:

• Pain relief,
• Anti-inflammatory effects,
• Fever reduction.

For Adults

Antipyretics belong to the NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) group. They affect pain centers, reduce fever, and combat viral infections, helping return the body to normal. Available forms include tablets, granules, syrups, powders, drops, injectable ampoules, and rectal suppositories.

These medications work comprehensively, reducing fever, relieving pain, and having antiviral effects. They’re essential for seasonal respiratory infections, postoperative complications, fever due to soft tissue inflammation, and other conditions where symptom relief is needed without burdening the liver, kidneys, and other organs.

For Children

The main criteria for selecting antipyretics for children are ease and safety. Since children may resist pills or injections, these medications are often available in syrups with various flavors or as rectal suppositories.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the safest and most effective medications for reducing fever in children are paracetamol and ibuprofen. They reduce fever without causing severe side effects, unlike acetylsalicylic acid, which should not be given to children under 12 (or even 16-18 by some recommendations) due to the risk of Reye’s syndrome.

Some effective antipyretic medications for children include:

• Ibuprofen-Akrikhin Suspension 100 mg/5 ml (orange flavor) – for children from 3 months,
• Nurofen Suspension 100 mg/5 ml (strawberry/orange flavor) – for children from 3 months to 12 years,
• Ibuprofen Suppositories 60 mg, No.10 (Rafarma) – for children from 3 months to 2 years.

Ibuprofen medications offer pain relief, anti-inflammatory, and fever-reducing effects. Indications for use:

• As pain relief for toothache, headache, ear pain, and other types of pain – for no more than 5 days,
• As a fever reducer for ARI (flu, colds), childhood infections, or vaccine reactions – for no more than 3 days.

Features:

• Syrups come with a dosing syringe for accurate measurement,
• Duration of action is 8 hours,
• Nurofen suspension is sugar-free, alcohol-free, and dye-free.

Choosing Tablets for Fever

When selecting fever-reducing tablets, consider the following recommendations:

• Disease characteristics, as certain medications are contraindicated for specific conditions,
• Cause of hyperthermia,
• Read instructions carefully,
• Where possible, consult a doctor for tailored recommendations,
• Choose based on the active ingredient rather than advertisements,
• Reduce fever to a level where the patient feels better without trying to lower it excessively.

High temperatures may have various causes. Fever reduction is necessary for poor well-being and temperatures above 38°C. Pharmacies offer medications with different active ingredients, and it is crucial to read the instructions before use to minimize potential side effects.

Remember that a high fever does not always indicate disease. It may signal that the immune system is fully engaged in eliminating the underlying cause—viruses, bacteria, or other harmful microorganisms.