Commonly used antipyretic drugs for children: What are the differences between Motrin and Tylenol?

Fever is one of the most common clinical symptoms in children. It is a protective response of the body's defense system to fight against pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses. It is a process in which the human body mobilizes the immune system to resist infection. Under normal circumstances, a fever of 37.5 to 38.5°C gives the body a better ability to resist infection, and no medicine is needed to reduce fever (it is generally believed that a rectal temperature below 38.5°C is a low fever, a temperature above 39°C is a high fever, and a temperature above 40°C is a hyperpyrexia). Once the child's body temperature exceeds 38.5°C, it can cause metabolic disorders and dysfunction of various systems, often accompanied by clinical symptoms such as lack of energy, diarrhea, and cough. The development of the child's nervous system is not perfect, especially children under 5 years old are prone to convulsions and epilepsy when they have a fever, which can cause adverse consequences to children. It is necessary to use appropriate antipyretic drugs for treatment based on timely and accurate identification of the cause to avoid excessive consumption of the body and damage to important organs. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that safe antipyretics should be used for treatment when the child's rectal temperature is higher than 38.5°C. Both ibuprofen suspension and acetaminophen suspension are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and are relatively safe and effective antipyretic drugs for children recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).

What do Motrin and Tylenol have in common?

Both Motrin and Tylenol are non-steroidal antipyretic analgesics, which inhibit the synthesis of prostaglandins to reduce fever and relieve discomfort caused by pain. Non-steroidal antipyretic analgesics have no effect on people with normal body temperature and will not lower normal body temperature.

What is the difference between Motrin and Tylenol?

Merrill is an aromatic propionic acid antipyretic analgesic, with significant anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic effects, comparable in strength to aspirin, and has a certain inhibitory effect on platelet function, which can prolong bleeding time. A single dose of Merrill has a relatively strong antipyretic effect, and the cooling effect can be maintained for a relatively long time.

Tylenol is an aniline antipyretic analgesic, and its antipyretic and analgesic effects are similar to aspirin, but it has almost no anti-inflammatory effect and no effect on the coagulation mechanism. A single dose of Tylenol can reduce body temperature more quickly than Motrin half an hour after oral administration.

What are the contraindications and which groups of people should use it with caution?

Merlin: There is a cross-allergic reaction with aspirin, so children who are allergic to aspirin or other non-steroidal antipyretic analgesics are prohibited from using this product. In addition, this product is contraindicated for those with active peptic ulcers. Children with a history of peptic ulcers, patients with renal insufficiency, heart failure and hypertension should use it with caution.

Tylenol: People who are allergic to aspirin usually do not have allergies to this product, but they should still be closely observed when using it. People who are allergic to this product and those with severe liver and kidney dysfunction are prohibited from using it. People with liver disease or viral hepatitis, mild to moderate liver and kidney dysfunction, severe heart and lung diseases and allergic constitutions should use it with caution. If the child has symptoms of jaundice, liver function tests should be performed immediately.

For children with favism, both Motrin and Tylenol are used with caution, but some scholars believe that Motrin is relatively safer and can be used for emergency fever reduction in children with favism. However, even so, children with favism should still take the medicine under the supervision of medical staff.

What precautions should be taken during use?

Merrill Lynch: If the fever or pain is not relieved after taking the medicine for more than three consecutive days, please consult a doctor. The dosage should not exceed the recommended dosage, otherwise it may cause headache, vomiting, fatigue, hypotension and rash. If you take an overdose, please consult a doctor immediately. If you are obviously dehydrated due to persistent vomiting, diarrhea or insufficient fluid intake, you need to see a doctor to correct the balance of water and electrolytes; in addition, it should be noted that the use of this product to reduce fever in children with dehydration may increase the risk of renal damage. In addition, the use of this product by children with chickenpox may increase the risk of group A streptococcal infection.

Tylenol: This product is a symptomatic treatment drug. It should not be used for fever for more than 3 consecutive days and for pain relief for more than 5 days. If the symptoms are not relieved, please consult a doctor or pharmacist. The dosage should not exceed the recommended dosage (pay attention to the possible repeated use of the drug). Overdose can lead to obvious abnormal liver function, and there have been reports of liver failure and even death.

What drug interactions exist?

During the period of taking Motrin or Tylenol, it is not advisable to use other antipyretic analgesics containing the same ingredients or others, unless instructed by a doctor. When taking with other compound medicines, special attention should be paid to whether they contain the same ingredients to avoid adverse reactions caused by repeated use of medicines. Common compound preparations containing antipyretic analgesics for children include Children's Tylenol, Eucardan, Hutong, Xiaokuai Ke, etc.

Author: Chen Ye Liu Yanping