In the article, we will consider why Paracetamol does not bring down the temperature and what to do in this case.
Experts say that you need to treat elevated temperature as your assistant, whose participation, on the one hand, should be timely, and on the other, short-lived. But as a rule, high temperature scares a person. Therefore, when the heat begins, he directs all forces to fight it.
Causes and mechanism of temperature increase
The human body responds to various external factors and changes in the internal environment:
- the thermoregulatory center is located in the brain;
- there is an effect of prostaglandins, which are synthesized from fatty acids, on this center;
- the appearance of such substances indicates the presence of inflammation in the body;
- the initial indicator of normal temperature changes in the thermoregulatory center, and the body makes every effort to maintain elevated temperature;
- when the pathological process is eliminated, the biochemical values โโof the blood normalize, and the center in the brain establishes the usual 36.6 ยฐ C.
Fever, on the one hand, contributes to the fight against infection. On the other hand, each person is a living organism, and the temperature limits of blood are strictly normalized. The vast majority of people will not be able to withstand temperatures of 42ห C.
Elevated temperature: do I need to shoot down?
If a person has a fever, this indicates that his body is struggling with pathology. He begins to produce interferon - a special substance. When taking antipyretic drugs, the temperature normalizes artificially, interferon production is suppressed, and the body's resistance decreases.
For the human body, a temperature reaching 38 - 38.5 degrees is harmless. However, even in some cases it may alert: when the patient has had at least one seizure at least once; with poor tolerance of high temperature as a result of chronic diseases or other characteristics of the body; with an increase in indicators caused by a bacterial infection. If it is accompanied by similar symptoms or exceeds a value of 39 degrees, urgent measures must be taken to bring it back to normal.
Special care should be taken for people suffering from endocrine pathologies, diseases of the cardiovascular or circulatory systems. They need to bring down even not very high temperatures on time.
In the absence of the health problems listed above, you can first try to reduce it using physiological methods: a cold compress on large blood vessels; air baths; wiping with a cool cloth, etc. Also, pharmaceutical antipyretics can be replaced with folk recipes (plentiful warm drink, tea with raspberries and honey, herbal decoctions, etc.).
Description of the drug "Paracetamol" and brief instructions
Very often, a drug such as Paracetamol is used to reduce high temperature. This is a widespread antipyretic and analgesic that belongs to the group of anilides.
Available in tablets, syrup and rectal suppositories.
How to take the drug at high temperature?
"Paracetamol" in the form of suppositories is administered rectally (1 suppository).
The recommended single dose for adult patients and adolescents over 12 years old (or body weight from 40 kg) is 1 g (2 tablets of 0.5 g), and the daily dose is 4 g.
For children under 12 years of age, the dose is determined individually at the rate of 10-15 mg per 1 kg of weight (60 mg / kg per day).
For babies from 3 months. up to 1 year, the dosage is from 24 to 120 mg, and children from 1 year to 6 years are given 120โ240 mg per dose.
According to the instructions for use with Paracetamol syrup, a child can take the drug up to 4 times a day. During the day he is given no more than 60 mg per 1 kg of body weight.
"Paracetamol" does not bring down the temperature: what to do?
Sometimes it happens that he does not help the patient. If the drug failed, you need to figure out what is the cause of this phenomenon.
So, why does Paracetamol not bring down the temperature?
The main reasons for the lack of effectiveness of the medication are the following:
- Too dry air in the room where a patient with severe hyperthermia is located prevents the body temperature from decreasing.
- When using the drug, too little water was consumed, which leads to insufficient absorption of the drug by the body.
- The patient's general drinking regimen was rather meager, and therefore he did not sweat after the drug; hyperthermia eventually persists due to defects in the overall heat transfer.
- There is a severe vascular spasm; if it happens against the background of a very high temperature, it will not decrease properly.
- There is a process of pathology that has a bacterial nature; in this case it will not work to bring down the temperature with the help of โParacetamolโ, it is necessary to urgently contact a medical institution in order to take the necessary measures.
- The drug is often prescribed for acute respiratory viral infections, but it is important to remember that with an erroneous diagnosis, the temperature will not properly go astray.
How to replace "Paracetamol" for children?
When Paracetamol does not reduce the temperature in a child, Ibuprofen should be used. He begins to act quite quickly and knocks down heat for a long time. In addition, it produces anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Ibuprofen is taken no more than three to four times a day: for children - dosage by age; adults - 1-2 tablets.
Syrups containing ibuprofen (Advil, Nurofen) are easier to dose. Suppositories (for example, "Nurofen") are suitable if the child can not take the syrup due to an allergic reaction to supplements and vomiting.
What else to bring down the temperature if "Paracetamol" does not help?
There is another proven drug, namely an injection of diphenhydramine or dipyrone with papaverine in the amount of one ampoule for children after fourteen years of age and adults. For a younger age, the dosage is 0.1 milliliter per year of life.
In the absence of the above methods, you must immediately call an ambulance, since high temperature can cause convulsions, vascular spasm and respiratory arrest.
What to do when "Paracetamol" does not bring down the temperature of 39 in an adult?
Medication Replacement in Adults
Before taking an antipyretic, you should cool the body. It is necessary to constantly give the patient a drink, since dehydration adversely affects his condition and can harm in the future. Fruit drink, mineral water, juice and tea normalize the body's water balance well. With the appearance of sweat on the forehead, we can talk about a decrease in temperature.
You can also try to grind the body with vodka, alcohol or a simple cologne. No need to dress or take cover immediately after the procedure. A person will freeze, and thatโs good. This method is popular, safe and effective.
Enema with a solution of an antipyretic drug and boiled water is also a good method. The procedure is not the most pleasant, but optimally and quickly removes heat if it lasts too long.
Regarding medicines, it must be said that Paracetamol, Ibuprofen and Aspirin are currently very popular. But Aspirin must be used very carefully. Because of it, blood coagulation worsens, bleeding may begin. The drug is contraindicated in patients who suffer from gastrointestinal diseases, as it irritates the mucous membranes and exacerbates the condition. When Paracetamol has not brought down the temperature, everyone should know what to do.
Urgent ways to lower the temperature in an adult
For an adult, the introduction of a โlytic mixtureโ intramuscularly is effective - two milliliters of dipyrone and two milliliters of diphenhydramine. In the absence of these funds, you need to call an ambulance, the workers will give an injection.
In the absence of the effectiveness of this and other methods, it is urgent to call an ambulance. If you cannot lower the heat, it can be dangerous. Because of it, vascular spasm and convulsions may appear, which is fraught (though in rare cases) with respiratory arrest and death.
We told why Paracetamol does not bring down the temperature in an adult and a child in some cases. The following are general guidelines.
General recommendations
When the temperature is elevated, you need to remember that:
- insufficient drinking regime negates the work of antipyretics;
- it is not recommended to bring down the temperature using "folk" methods, especially when treating children (as an exception, rubbing with water and drinking plenty of drinks are allowed);
- combined antipyretic and antipyretic drugs are not recommended for children;
- adults to reduce its performance, it is advisable to use medicines based on ibuprofen, paracetamol, sodium metamizole and acetylsalicylic acid;
- to lower the temperature of children under twelve years of age, antipyretic drugs based on ibuprofen or paracetamol should be used only in age-appropriate forms and dosages - ordinary drugs cannot be used, even if the amount is reduced.
Of course, there are serious pathologies in which "Paracetamol" does not bring down the temperature, as well as other medications and methods do not help. In these cases, consult a doctor as soon as possible.