{"id":60076,"date":"2023-08-30T09:00:03","date_gmt":"2023-08-30T13:00:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=60076"},"modified":"2024-10-25T10:33:18","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T14:33:18","slug":"does-ibuprofen-reduce-fever","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/does-ibuprofen-reduce-fever\/","title":{"rendered":"Does ibuprofen relieve fever?"},"content":{"rendered":"

A fever, or <\/span>body temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher<\/span><\/a>, is one of the first ways your body signals that you’re sick. It can also be pretty uncomfortable. As you fight off an infection, you’ll probably want to lower your fever and reduce the symptoms that often come with it, like <\/span>sweating, chills, muscle aches, and weakness<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

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To relieve a fever with over-the-counter drugs, you have two choices: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen, or analgesics and fever reducers, like acetaminophen. Many people reach for <\/span>Tylenol<\/span><\/a> (acetaminophen) when they have a fever, but ibuprofen is just as effective. Here’s what you should know about reducing fever with ibuprofen—and how to know if it’s a good option for you.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is ibuprofen?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Ibuprofen belongs to a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which <\/span>reduce inflammation, relieve pain, lower fever, and prevent blood clots<\/span><\/a>. Other NSAIDs include aspirin and naproxen (Aleve). Ibuprofen is available over the counter under brand names like <\/span>Motrin<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Advil<\/span><\/a>. It’s also available in higher doses as a prescription. <\/span><\/p>\n

Acetaminophen is <\/span>not an NSAID<\/span><\/a>; it’s an analgesic (pain reliever) and antipyretic (fever reducer). Although both ibuprofen and acetaminophen treat fevers, they are <\/span>not<\/span><\/i> the same type of medication. <\/span><\/p>\n

Does ibuprofen reduce fever? <\/span><\/h2>\n

Ibuprofen lowers a fever if you take it when you have a fever. According to <\/span>Daniel Kim<\/span><\/a>, MD, a family physician with Medical Offices of Manhattan, most adults and children over 6 months of age can take ibuprofen to treat a mild to moderate fever. <\/span><\/p>\n

In fact, over-the-counter (OTC) ibuprofen may be a better choice than acetaminophen when it comes to reducing fever in children: A <\/span>2020 meta-analysis<\/span><\/a> comparing the effectiveness of ibuprofen to acetaminophen in kids under 2 years of age showed that ibuprofen was more effective at lowering body temperature. <\/span><\/p>\n

While most people won’t experience side effects from ibuprofen, it isn’t safe for everyone. Dr. Kim notes that people with the following conditions should avoid it or consult with a healthcare provider before taking ibuprofen:<\/span><\/p>\n