Dose/route | Analgesic | Antipyretic | Anti- inflammatory | Approximate cost (one dose to 20 kg child)* | Comments | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
*Source British National Formulary, March 1999. | ||||||
Paracetamol | 15 mg/kg; 4–6 hrly | yes | yes | no | oral; 5p | Avoid in liver disease |
Max 4 doses/24 hrs | rectal; £2.30 | |||||
oral or rectal | ||||||
Ibuprofen | 20 mg/kg daily in 3–4 divided doses | yes | yes | yes | 10p | Less side effects than other NSAIDs, but less anti-inflammatory action |
oral | *See below | |||||
Diclofenac | 1–3 mg/kg daily in 2–3 divided doses | yes | yes | yes | oral; 4p | *Avoid in asthma and under 12 months |
oral or rectal | rectal; 14p | Not available as syrup |