The article describes the existing types of antipyretic drugs. Symptoms appearing at high temperature and possible options for reducing it are indicated. In order to regulate temperature indicators, recommendations are given on the use of medicines and folk remedies.
The body's ability to regulate body temperature is one of the foundations of human health. The function of thermal exchange within a person, as well as between the body and the external environment, called thermoregulation, is associated with processes that occur not only in the body, but also outside it.
Body temperature
The body temperature indicator is a relative value. Its measurement is one of the methods for diagnosing diseases in patients. For newborn babies, a temperature not exceeding 36.8 ° C is considered a normal indicator, in children from 6 months to 3 years, the temperature ranges from 36 ° C to 37.5 ° C, with aging, the elevated temperature is fixed at elevations above 37 ° C. Temperature indicators vary not only with age, but also fluctuate throughout the day within reasonable limits. With a jump in body temperature above established standards, doctors recommend taking antipyretic drugs.
The choice of drugs depends on several factors:
- the category to which the sick person belongs;
- patient age;
- symptoms accompanying the disease;
- intolerance to certain substances;
- time of day;
- concomitant diseases;
- individual characteristics of the body;
- individual indicators of the external environment.
Signs of fever
To use antipyretic drugs at temperature without harm to health, you must first measure its value. The exact numbers will show the thermometer. There are mercury and digital thermometers, as well as instruments with an infrared emitter. Measure the temperature in several areas on the body:
- in the armpit
- in the groin
- orally
- vaginally
- rectally.
There are several stages of temperature:
- low
- normal
- febrile
- pyrethic.
The average values of normal temperature in different categories of patients range from 36 to 37.5 degrees. Indicators outside the normal range indicate a malfunction in the functioning of the body. Higher values indicate the inclusion of an immune system that fights negative factors through biochemical processes.
The need to use antipyretic drugs at high temperature occurs at the febrile stage, when crossing the mark of 38.5 ° C. An exception is patients with asthma, pronounced hypertension, bronchopulmonary diseases, which need to be able to lower the temperature at lower values. If there is no thermometer, then the need for the use of antipyretic drugs can be visually determined by the following signs:
- facial redness;
- frequent breathing and pulse;
- body chills and cold limbs;
- decreased appetite and extreme thirst;
- cramps
- headache;
- joint and muscle pain;
- increased work of sweat glands.
Types of antipyretic drugs
To deal with a variety of tools will help the doctor. Turning to it is the most correct action in cases of exceeding normal temperature indicators, especially in children and the elderly. With the rapidly developing course of the disease, it becomes necessary to use antipyretic drugs without visiting a specialist. The information that the patient or his close environment is equipped with will help you choose the drug yourself.
The main drugs that regulate temperature indicators in the direction of decrease belong to the group of anti-inflammatory non-steroid drugs. They replaced previously used toxic opioid analgesics.
There are several types of antipyretics currently used at high temperatures:
- Anesthetics and antipyretic drugs, characterized by the occurrence of a large number of adverse reactions: Aspirin, Citramon, Analgin.
- Paracetamol-based second-generation drugs with fewer side effects: Panadol, Paracetamol, Teraflu.
- Preparations based on ibuprofen or a combination of several active substances with a prolonged effect: "Rinzasip", "Cold Flu Plus", "Nurofen", "Ibuklin", "Mig".
"Paracetamol" is an excellent long-acting assistant in the victory over temperature, acting gradually, eliminating additional headaches and muscle pain. The substance rarely causes adverse reactions.
“Ibuprofen”, in addition to the declared anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties, affects the functioning of the immune system, accumulating the latent capabilities of the body.
Acetylsalicylic acid is effective when used in adults, but has many side effects and is not used in childhood, so it is rarely prescribed by specialists.
The difference between paracetamol and ibuprofen
Doctors recommend a serious approach to the choice of an antipyretic agent at high temperature. In adults, there are individual characteristics of the use of drugs. When deciding on the use of any drug, you need to know its composition. You should also pay attention to the differences in the use of paracetamol and ibuprofen. Features of the above active substances are as follows:
- Paracetamol, unlike Ibuprofen, does not carry the anti-inflammatory component of treatment.
- "Paracetamol" is preferable in cases of use in patients with diseases of the stomach and intestines, as it does not irritate the mucous membrane.
- Paracetamol is more dangerous at higher dosages than Ibuprofen.
- When using Ibuprofen, a greater number of side effects are possible.
- Paracetamol is suitable for single use, and Ibuprofen is suitable for long-term use.
Medications for adults
The list of antipyretic drugs produced by the pharmaceutical industry is diverse. The purpose of the drug often depends on the accumulated practice and experience of the attending physician. Doctors of the older generation respond well and often use drugs that have proven themselves on the positive side in the last century. The younger generation of experts gives positive reviews and offers new products for use. In any case, the best antipyretic can be chosen only by knowing your individual characteristics and having tried the drug on yourself. The most popular medicines today are:
- Panadol is available in the form of soluble and insoluble tablets. Paracetamol with a dose of 0.5 g is present as the main substance in any form. It is recommended to take the drug in a single dosage of 1 gram no more than 4 times a day. Contraindications to use may be individual intolerance or younger children.
- "Paracetamol" as an antipyretic for adults, is produced in the form of tablets. The dose of the active substance is 0.5 g. It is used to reduce the temperature and relieve febrile and pain symptoms of moderate severity. The maximum possible dose is contained in 2 tablets. It is not recommended to take more than 8 tablets per day.
- Coldact Plus Plus is produced in the form of capsules and suspensions. In one capsule, in addition to 200 mg of paracetamol, contains 25 mg of phenylephrine hydrochloride, which eliminates puffiness, and 8 mg of chlorphenamine maleate, which has an antihistamine effect. In 10 ml of suspension there is a similar composition. The drug is used as an antipyretic agent at a temperature in adults in the complex treatment of symptoms of the common cold and acute respiratory infections.
- Rinzasip is a combined-action drug. The release form is satate with a powder containing 750 mg of paracetamol. Due to the presence of a complex of substances, it has an antipyretic, analgesic, anti-allergic effect. The caffeine in the composition has a stimulating effect on the nervous system, eliminating signs of fatigue and drowsiness. Apply one sachet dissolved in 150 ml of hot water, up to 4 times a day. General course should not exceed 5 days. The period of pregnancy and lactation is the main contraindication for using the powder.
- "Teraflu" is also called a combination drug. The composition contains 325 mg of paracetamol and additional substances that eliminate puffiness and possible allergic reactions. The tool is used for inflammation and infections, and is also effective in lowering the temperature and getting rid of signs of the common cold and flu.
- Nurofen is distinguished by a variety of release forms with a slightly modified name. Nurofen is produced in the form of ordinary and effervescent tablets. Nurofen Express Neo - sugar-coated tablets, Nurofen Active - absorbable tablets, Nurofen period - long-acting tablets, Nurofen Ultracap - in capsule form. The active ingredient in all variants of release is ibuprofen, the main mass fraction of 200 mg. For sustained release agents, the amount of basic substance in the preparation ranges from 300 to 400 mg. A medicine is used to reduce the temperature and get rid of unpleasant symptoms of colds. Also, having an analgesic effect, it is used to eliminate pain of various etiologies.
- "Ibuklin" is a complex agent consisting of 125 mg of paracetamol and 100 mg of ibuprofen, produced in the form of capsule tablets. The effectiveness of the drug is achieved through a combination of two antipyretic components. It is used for fever of an inflammatory nature, neuralgia, headache and toothache, in the postoperative period to reduce pain. It is not recommended for use in patients with diseases of the stomach and intestines, asthma, pregnancy, with severe impaired renal function and circulatory system.
- Mig is an assistant in the fight against fever. The numbers accompanying the name directly depend on the dosage of 200 or 400 mg of ibuprofen. It belongs to strong analgesics, restores normal temperature and eliminates inflammatory syndrome. The maximum daily dose reaches 1200 mg. May cause adverse reactions from the digestive system.
Medicines for children
At a temperature in children, antipyretic drugs are selected with extreme caution, especially when it comes to a newborn. The baby’s reaction to most drugs is still unknown to the mother or the attending pediatrician. The generally accepted drug for lowering the temperature in childhood is Paracetamol. The drug provides quick relief of heat and pain without complications. When purchasing the selected drug, it is necessary to study the instructions and find indications for use specifically for children. Familiarization with the instructions will allow you to be sure of the right choice of funds. The children's version of the drug is usually equipped with a measuring spoon or syringe. An additional device will protect the baby from the wrong dosage, which is possible when using an adult drug.
Despite the variety of drugs for temperature, many people use candles. Especially relevant is the choice of this form of the drug for children up to a year. Antipyretic drugs in the form of suppositories are convenient to use if the baby is naughty, spits up a medicine or taking the drug is accompanied by vomiting.
There are several types of drugs for children:
- A group of drugs with the main substance - paracetamol, which helps to reduce pain and reduce temperature.
- Preparations with an active substance - ibuprofen, which reduces pain, temperature and inflammation of various nature.
Children's preparations with paracetamol
"Panadol", as an effective antipyretic, acts as an anesthetic with a weak anti-inflammatory effect. Apply the medicine:
- at high temperature due to colds or infectious diseases;
- toothache and headache;
- otitis media and reactions of the child's body to vaccinations.
The tool is produced in the form of a suspension and rectal suppositories. The suspension has a strawberry flavor, in 5 ml of the substance is 120 mg of paracetamol. The suppository consists of solid fats and paracetamol in an amount of 125 mg. A liquid remedy is possible for use in children from 3 months, candles from 6 months. The duration of treatment should not exceed 72 hours.
"Cefecon D" is available only in the form of suppositories with an active substance amount of 50 mg. The drug does not cure, but acts on the symptoms: it reduces fever and eliminates pain. In other cases, its use is unreasonable. The age of using an antipyretic is from 3 months to 12 years, the dose should not be more than 60 mg / kg of weight.
"Kalpol" differs in the form of release, of which the drug has many. The medicine is released in the form of a suspension, capsules, suppositories and injection. The suspension and syrup are additionally equipped with a measuring spoon with divisions of 2.5 and 5 ml. In 5 ml of suspension, 120 mg of paracetamol is present. Children under the age of one year are recommended no more than 1 tablespoon 3 to 4 times a day. Children older than one year are allowed to consume up to 2 scoops with the same frequency. Indications for use is the need to lower the temperature and stop the pain component in a child up to 6 years.
In order to avoid overdose, the described medicines are not recommended to be used in combination or with other medicines that contain paracetamol.
Children's drugs with ibuprofen
Ibuprofen is a medicine to reduce fever and pain symptoms in colds, infections, flu, and to get rid of vaccination complications. The product is released in the form of a suspension with the smell of an orange, equipped with a measuring instrument in the form of a spoon, syringe or glass. The initial dosage of 2.5 ml for six-month-old babies reaches 10 - 15 ml by 9 - 12 years.
"Nurofen" is considered the best antipyretic, which also reduces pain symptoms and inflammation. The drug is widely used in pediatrics, has a small number of possible adverse reactions and is available in three versions: suspension, tablets and suppositories. The tool in the form of suppositories has a high speed of action and is preferably for infants from three months. It is more convenient to give a suspension to children from 4 months who will appreciate a pleasant sweetish taste. The dose of ibuprofen in syrup and suspension is small for school children. Therefore, starting from 6 years of age, tablets are prescribed for use. The recommended single dose of the drug is calculated based on the weight and age of the child. Its value varies from 50 mg of ibuprofen at the age of three months to 300 mg at the age of 12 years.
Ibufen acts as an antipyretic and anesthetic anti-inflammatory drug. A syrup with a syringe dispenser is available. The required amount is also calculated from body weight and age and ranges from 2.5 to 10 ml of the drug once with an interval of 6 to 8 hours.
The use of adult treatment methods in childhood
Pediatricians do not recommend the use of such popular antipyretic drugs for adults, such as aspirin and analgin, in the treatment of children.
In addition, it is undesirable to lower the temperature in infants by grinding with vinegar or vodka or cooling the body with ice warmers. These techniques are fraught with intoxication of the child's body or spasms of blood vessels of the baby's skin.
Herbal treatment
In the fight against fever, a plentiful drink will help. Traditional medicine recommends alternating drinking liquid with herbal infusions. There are several options for folk antipyretic drugs:
- The fruits of currant or raspberry are wiped with sugar in a ratio of 1: 2. Two tablespoons of the mixture are brewed with hot boiled water and taken orally. The effect is achieved due to increased sweating, which provokes a decrease in temperature.
- Dried linden flowers are poured with boiling water at a rate of 1:10, honey is added to taste and drunk several times a day. As a result, there is an increase in the heat transfer function of the body, which knocks down a high temperature.
Disease prevention
Choosing an effective antipyretic is not so easy. It is advisable to trust a specialist in this matter, especially when treating the most vulnerable categories of patients. The main recommendation in this case is the prevention of emerging colds and inflammatory problems. It is necessary to begin work on increasing immunity.
Active ingredients can be natural ingredients, namely decoctions and infusions from plants:
- herbs - chamomile, rhodiola, echinacea;
- roots - ginger, ginseng, licorice;
- bush - eleutherococcus, rose hip, aloe.