Pain medication and toddlers

Pediatrician James Varga, MD, shares advice for parents on which pain medications are safe to give to toddlers and young children as well the proper dosage and time intervals to give the pain medication
Are Pain Medications Safe For Toddlers And Young Children
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Pain medication and toddlers

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Parents often want to know from their family doctor or pediatrician whether it is safe to give Acetaminophen, better known as Tylenol, or Ibuprofen, better known as Motrin or Advil, to their infant or toddler. My approach to that is that number one, both of those products are safe if given in the appropriate amounts and the appropriate time intervals. I have no strong preference one way or the other, for pain or fever reducer. It's pretty much six of one, half a dozen of another, in my estimation. The only drawbacks to Ibuprofen, is if your child's tummy is upset, it's a little bit harder on their tummies than Tylenol or Acetaminophen. On the other hand, Ibuprofen, Advil, Motrin, lasts six to eight hours, whereas, Acetaminophen does four; so you don't have to give them as frequently. For a child that doesn't like to take medication, that is a definite advantage. One drawback of Acetaminophen or Tylenol, is that in an overdose, it can be quite serious. It is critical that parents who are using Acetaminophen, keep it safe and away from small children.

Pediatrician James Varga, MD, shares advice for parents on which pain medications are safe to give to toddlers and young children as well the proper dosage and time intervals to give the pain medication

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James Varga, MD

Pediatrician

James Varga began to practice medicine in 1977 after graduating from Bucknell University and New York Medical College with honors. James completed post doctoral studies in Child Development at UCLA. His wife Olga and he have two great daughters, Jenna and Maya.

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