Pain Relievers and Children




 Your five-year-old complains of a headache. What do you do? How does the medical profession recommend you treat your child’s ailments and pains? With so many choices in the analgesic (painkiller) market today, choosing a pain relief medication can be a difficult and confusing task. There are pros and cons to each type of analgesic, and at least one of them may not be appropriate for children or teenagers. So, what are your options? Acetaminophen
Acetaminophen, known best by its brand names of Tylenol and Panadol, relieves mild pain and reduces fever. According to Dr. Leora Kuttner, author of A Child in Pain: How to Help, What to Do, “Scientists still do not know exactly how it achieves both peripheral and central pain relief.” But what they do know is that this pain killer is helpful to children who are teething, who have colds and/or influenza, sore throats, sinus pressure and fevers 102 degrees Fahrenheit and below.

Acetaminophen is recommended for people who cannot take aspirin due to aspirin-related allergies, sensitive or easily irritated stomachs or ringing in the ears. Acetaminophen contains no aspirin. It is safe for use by infants, children and teenagers.

A possible side effect of using acetaminophen-based products is that high doses or regular-long-term use can cause liver damage, so it should not be used by anyone with liver disease or who is anemic. Also, doctors do not recommend using Tylenol and similar products if the fever is over 102 for more than three days or for fevers that keep returning.

One dose of acetaminophen (follow directions for age and weight on the bottle, and do not administer more than five times in one day) will typically last for four to six hours. Aspirin

Aspirin is classified into the family of drugs called NSAIDs or Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory drugs. These painkillers halt the synthesis of prostaglandins (inflammatory substances) by working at the site of the pain, counteracting chemicals that promote pain transmission.

Aspirin is used for relieving pain, swelling and fever in adults. It also relieves mild itching and is great for treating arthritis and other conditions.

Twenty years ago, orange-flavored chewable baby aspirins were a common way to treat childhood ailments. But times have changed. Aspirin, in recent years, has been linked to a rare but serious brain and liver disorder called Reye’s syndrome in children and teenagers. For this reason, doctors recommend using other analgesics for infants, children and teenagers.

In addition to stomach irritation, aspirin is dangerous for people who have allergies to it, are taking blood-thinners, or have gout or ulcers. People with asthma or hearing loss may also have problems taking it. Ibuprofen

Ibuprofen, the newest analgesic on the market, is part of the NSAIDs family of drugs. The brand names include both Children’s Motrin and Children’s Advil. This drug has been available for children since 1989—first as a prescription drug and then, since 1996, as an over-the-counter medication.

Ibuprofen is an effective reliever of pain, fever and inflammation. This NSAID can be used to treat children’s sore throats, toothaches, earaches, fevers over 102 degrees Fahrenheit, broken bone and other injuries.

Certain conditions can cause ibuprofen to have serious side effects. If a child is dehydrated during an illness, blood flow to the kidneys is decreased. Ibuprofen use also decreases the blood flow to the kidneys. For someone who is already dehydrated, taking this analgesic may further complicate his illness or cause other significant problems. Doctors also advise against using ibuprofen if the child has asthma and/or nasal polyps, stomach or intestinal disorders, a skin condition called angioedema, an aspirin allergy, liver or kidney disease, chicken pox and/or a blood clotting disorder.

Studies are still be done on ibuprofen products and because of this, many doctors recommend it as a second choice in children’s pain relief. A study, whose results were discussed at the November 1997 meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, showed that ibuprofen may do its job too well and may mask symptoms. Danielle Zerr, M.D., a fellow at Children’s Hospital and Medical Center in Seattle, stated, “Ibuprofen is effective as an antipyretic, masking inflammation and symptoms, and delaying a trip to the physician.”

Zerr presented data on a necrotizing fasciitis (NF—a soft tissue infection) outbreak in Washington State. Children who used ibuprofen often had masked the beginning of secondary symptoms, delaying appropriate treatment.

But other studies have found ibuprofen to be safe and effective for treating certain pains in children.

Ibuprofen should only be taken with meals or milk, and bottle or box directions should be consulted for proper dosage according to the child’s weight and age. Avoid giving this product to children under the age of six months. Ibuprofen’s effects last for six to eight hours, and should not be given for more than three consecutive days without a doctor’s approval.

How to Protect Your Child

· Communicate with the child’s other caretakers to avoid unintentional over-medicating.
· Refrain from giving aspirin to your child of any age.
· Avoid giving an infant ibuprofen.
· Be aware of the product’s dosage, paying strict attention to the words “extra-strength” and “regular strength.” Infant’s liquid painkiller often has a higher concentrate than the children’s version.
· If your child has a high fever (over 102) or has any swelling, and is not aspirin-allergic, some brand of ibuprofen may be your best choice of pain reliever.
· Always consult your doctor if you are unsure about proper dosage, which analgesic to give your child, or if you have any questions.

Jill L. Ferguson is an author, editor, public speaker, consultant and professor. She has written over 700 published articles, essays and poems. Her novel, Sometimes Art Can't Save You, published by In Your Face Ink, debuted at the end of 2005. She chairs the General Education Department at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.
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