What Are Some Fever Medications?

A fever does not appear to be comfortable for anyone. Thus, many individuals will want a fever-reducing medication. Most of these may also be anti-inflammatories. Doctors seem to advise taking medication for fevers that reach 102 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. However, some patients may want to take medication when their fever is 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. This seems to help when other treatments have not worked and they are quite uncomfortable. Some individuals may want to discuss their options for fever medication with a doctor. This may be essential if they have any underlying health conditions.

Patients may first try natural remedies for fevers. Some of them seem to be able to achieve fever relief this way. Unfortunately, natural fever reducers may not be enough. Patients who need extra assistance may look for the best medication for a fever. Most of them seem to find an over-the-counter fever reducer. However, individuals may want to understand their common options first.

Acetaminophen

Acetaminophen seems to be in many over-the-counter medications. Individuals may find it as a liquid or tablet. Unfortunately, this fever medicine appears to have many potential side effects. Examples may include nausea, appetite loss, dark urine, headaches, itching, and clay-colored stool. Patients seem to be at risk of liver damage on this medication. This risk appears to be high when they take it for long periods or in high doses. Individuals with liver problems may need to talk to their doctor about this medication first. All patients may need to know the signs of liver damage and inform their doctor if they experience them. Some symptoms appear to be jaundice and severe itching.

It seems that several medications may interact with acetaminophen. Examples may include gout medication, arthritis medicine, and sulfa drugs. Patients may want to consider reviewing their current medications with a doctor before taking this one for their fever. A pharmacist should help out as well.

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Ibuprofen

Ibuprofen may help relieve fevers. This appears to be in addition to getting rid of inflammation. Adults may need to take two hundred milligrams every four to six hours for this purpose. However, some of them seem to need a higher dose. They should be able to take up to four hundred milligrams every four to six hours. However, the maximum daily dose appears to be 1,200 milligrams. This medication seems to have many possible side effects. For instance, it may put individuals at a higher risk of a heart attack or stroke. It seems that having heart disease makes this risk quite high. Taking this medication for a long time or in large doses may also increase this possibility.

Some side effects may include heartburn, headaches, nervousness, dizziness, and ringing in the ears. Seniors seem to be at risk of stomach bleeding as well. Individuals may want some food or milk when they take this medication. It may reduce stomach upset. Patients may want to talk to their doctor before taking ibuprofen if they have underlying health issues. Issues of note appear to include liver disease, kidney disease, and high blood pressure. Asthma and diabetes may also be of significant concern.

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Acetylsalicylic Acid

Acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin) seems to work on relieving pain and inflammation. It may also be a fever reliever. Adults with a fever may want to take 325 to 650 milligrams every four to six hours. This seems to help lower their temperature. However, this medication appears to have many potential side effects. The most common may be ringing in the ears. Other side effects seem to include nausea, dizziness, abdominal cramps, stomach ulcers, and stomach bleeding. Unfortunately, stomach bleeding may appear with no pain. However, patients may experience weakness and feel dizzy when they stand. Their stool may look like tar as well. These seem to be signs of internal bleeding and may require immediate medical attention.

Patients who take diabetes medicine may be at a high risk of low blood sugar if they take this one as well. Thus, they may want to consider monitoring their sugar levels more often. Gout patients may not be able to take this medication. This seems to be because it increases uric acid. Overall, individuals may want to discuss this medication with their doctor before taking it.

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Diclofenac

Diclofenac is another anti-inflammatory that may relieve fevers as well. Most of the time, doctors seem to use it on migraines and arthritis. It appears to be prescription-only. Possible side effects may include upset stomach, drowsiness, heartburn, nausea, headaches, dizziness, constipation, and diarrhea. This medication may have rare side effects as well. They may include foot swelling, fatigue, and rapid weight gain. These rare side effects appear to be signs of heart failure. Thus, patients may need to get immediate medical help for them. They may also want this if they deal with ringing in their ears.

This medication appears to increase a patient's blood pressure. Thus, they may want to monitor their blood pressure often. Individuals may wish to inform their doctor of any elevations. This medication seems to be unsafe for some patients. Examples appear to be pregnant women, heart disease patients, and asthma patients. Stomach bleeding, high blood pressure, and stomach ulcers may also make it unsafe. Patients should consider telling their doctor if they use tobacco or have a history of kidney or liver disease as well.

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Naproxen

Naproxen may help patients with fevers. It seems that they can take two or three doses per day. However, this medication appears to be fairly strong. Even an over-the-counter version may need six to eight hours between doses. Some seem to need twelve hours, particularly if they are prescription-strength. Patients should consider drinking a full glass of water with each dose. They may also want to avoid lying down for ten minutes. Taking this medication with food or milk may help patients avoid an upset stomach. It seems that antacids can also be helpful with this.

Possible side effects appear to be dizziness, headaches, heartburn, and drowsiness. Rare effects may include vision changes, painful swallowing, mood changes, easy bruising, stiff neck, and reduced urine output. Patients may want to let their doctor know about any common side effects that persist. They may also wish to tell them about rare side effects immediately. This medication appears to interact with several others. They may include diuretics, lithium, ACE inhibitors, and corticosteroids. Patients may want to talk to their doctor first to avoid these possible interactions. Adjusted doses or medication changes may be required.