Parents Prefer Paracetamol Over Ibuprofen for Children's Fever

Surprising finding: When managing children's fever, nearly two-thirds of parents reach for paracetamol over ibuprofen.

A systematic review examining parental fever management practices found that 64.3% of caregivers chose paracetamol (acetaminophen) as their go-to medication, while only 27.4% used ibuprofen. Among children under five years old, the preference was even more pronounced, with 63.2% receiving paracetamol versus 29.8% getting ibuprofen. Interestingly, about one in five parents (20.3%) alternated between the two medications. Syrup was the most popular form of administration, and parents frequently determined dosages themselves. Their medication choices were influenced by perceived effectiveness, safety concerns, the child’s age and weight, ease of giving the medicine, and healthcare provider recommendations. The findings underscore the need for better parental education on safe fever management practices.

Source: PMID 39779424 (Journal of pediatric nursing, 2025)