International Ibuprofen Foundation - Uses of Ibuprofen: Fever

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Ibuprofen for the treatment of fever
Medicines are used to help return the body's temperature towards normal. The most frequently used are ibuprofen and paracetamol. Aspirin was once commonly used but it has been linked to a rare but serious illness (Reye's Syndrome), so it should not be given to children under 16 years of age unless on the advice of a doctor.

The effectiveness of ibuprofen in fever reduction, and the effectiveness compared to paracetamol and aspirin, has been investigated in a large number of clinical trials.

Results of the clinical trials consistently show that a single dose of ibuprofen is more effective than paracetamol at reducing temperature over an 8 hour period. The onset of effect of ibuprofen starts within 30 minutes of dosing. Ibuprofen has been shown to be more effective than paracetamol in reducing high fevers, particularly above 39°C (102°F).

Symptoms of Fever
Infections can disrupt the body temperature balance, and lead to temperatures higher than 37.4°C (a fever). Fevers can lead to increased loss of fluid from the body causing dehydration, discomfort for a child, and in a small proportion of children, febrile convulsions.

A fever over 38°C or 100°F should be treated. The key to treating a fever is to reset the body's thermostat to bring the temperature back down to around 37°C or 98.5°F. Giving a child plenty to drink, to compensate for the fluid lost through sweating is important to avoid dehydration.