6 OTC Fever Medicines for Kids that are Best For Relieving Fever and Flu

Fever is a normal part of being a child, but sometimes it can be serious. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children with fever be seen by a doctor, who may prescribe fever medicine to treat the fever.

The first thing you need to do is find out what’s causing the fever. Is it a viral infection or a bacterial infection? If so, you should treat the symptoms of the infection with fever medicine and get your child to see a doctor.

When to take medicine for fever?

Only give your child medicine for fever if they truly need it. If your baby or child has a fever and is older than six months, they typically don’t need to be treated with medication for fever unless they are in pain.

The trick is to keep an eye on your child’s actions. You do not need to treat the fever with medication if they are able to play, drink, eat, and sleep regularly. Instead, you ought to hold off and see whether the fever goes down on its own.

High fever medicine for higher temperature

Take note that your child’s fever helps in the fight against the virus. Use fever medication only if your child is in pain and has a fever of over 102° F (39° C).

Fever medicine for kids, like Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be administered to children older than three months. The temperature is reduced by 2 to 3°F (1 to 1.5°C) by fever medication.

Instead, you might want to offer your kid ibuprofen, a high-fever medicine. Fever medication like Acetaminophen only lasts half as long as high fever medicine like ibuprofen (Advil).

As needed, administer the recommended amount of medicine for fever based on your child’s weight every six to eight hours. Ibuprofen is a fever medicine for kids safe to administer to children over the age of six months.

Fever medication: The do’s

• Maintain a cosy temperature in their space.
• Make sure they are wearing light-coloured clothing.
• Encourage them to consume liquids, such as water or an electrolyte solution, from the store.
• Make sure they don’t exert themselves too much.
• If your child has a high fever, it’s important to take him or her immediately to the doctor’s office or clinic where they will be able to give further treatment. Each child is different and some require more attention than others, so it’s important to talk with your doctor before taking any medication if you think it might not be right for your child.

Fever medication: The don’ts

• To cure your child’s fever or discomfort, avoid using aspirin. Aspirin has been associated with negative side effects, such as Reye syndrome, intestinal haemorrhage, and upset stomach. The liver and brain are both impacted by the deadly sickness known as Reye syndrome.
• Sponging should not be used to lower your child’s fever. Your child may shiver and become hotter if they are in cool or chilly water.
• Never treat your child’s fever with rubbing alcohol. When rubbing alcohol is absorbed through the skin or breathed, it might result in major issues like a coma.

Best fever medicine for kids in Singapore

There are several types of fever medicines for kids online. Parents and caregivers should follow the directions on the label carefully because each medication has specific instructions for use.

Children’s Tylenol Chewables

Overall Best Fever Medicine

The number one brand of pain and fever relief that paediatricians prescribe is Tylenol. Parents have used Tylenol for more than 60 years.

Children’s Tylenol Chewable Tablets in a 24-count package include acetaminophen to temporarily relieve cold and flu symptoms like fever, headache, and sore throat.

With a mix of ibuprofen and aspirin, this cold and flu medication for children also helps with minor aches and pains, headaches, and temporarily lowers the temperature.

Additionally, these kid-friendly grape-flavoured chewables for kids are soothing on the stomach and suitable for children ages two to eleven.

Features we love:

• Provides temporary relief from a range of kids’ cold and flu symptoms, including minor aches and pains, headache, and sore throat
• Comes in a kid-friendly grape flavour and is both ibuprofen-free and aspirin-free
• Gentle on the tummy

Panadol Children 1-12 Years Old Suspension

Best Suspension Fever Medicine

Use PANADOL Children’s Suspension 1-6 Years on children under the age of six. PANADOL Children’s Suspension 6+ years effectively relieves fever and pain in younger children. This orange-flavoured suspension is easy on kids’ stomachs because it doesn’t include alcohol or aspirin.

Children under the age of 12 should take 15 milligrams of paracetamol for every kilogram of body weight when taking PANADOL Children. Take no more than four doses in a 24-hour period and no more frequently than every four hours.

Basically, always read the label before usage and adhere to the dosage recommendations on the bottle. And you’re good to go!

Features we love:

• Best for infants/kids who prefer oral administration.
• Fast relief while being gentle to little stomachs.
• No alcohol, no aspirin.

Kids Relief Pain and Fever Oral Solution

Best Oral Liquid Fever Medicine

Use products from Kids Relief with confidence. Since 1993, they have offered only the greatest natural and homoeopathic products, and they will keep doing so.

This homoeopathic remedy aids in the relief of headaches, fever, sore throat, and pain sensations. This pain and fever oral drink comes in a delicious-tasting cherry flavour.

Depending on the age of your child, each bottle contains up to 30 to 50 individual doses. With the measuring dropper provided in the box, they are simple to measure.

Features we love:

• Helps relieve pain and fever, sore throat, and headache.
• Great tasting cherry flavour.
• Easy to administer with a dropper, which is included.

Sambucol Kids Formula Cold & Flu Oral Liquid

Best Fever Medicine with Vitamin C and Zinc

Australia’s top pick for naturally boosting immunity and preventing colds and flu is Sambucol Kids. Scientists created Sambucol, which is supported by authorities and parents.

Clinical research has shown that it lessens the intensity of cold and flu symptoms and speeds up recovery. What are its proven benefits? Speed up recovery by three days.

Reduce symptoms’ severity by 32%. Boost immunity in healthy individuals. Perfect for back-to-school kids, right?

Features we love:

• Kids formulation (two years old and older) containing the Original Black Elderberry.
• Vitamin C and Zinc help support immunity.
• Perfect for back-to-school and immunity wellness.

Kool Fever For Children 6S

Best Cooling Gel Pads Fever Medicine

On top of your oral meds, the adhesive gel sheets of KOOLFEVER for Children can help with fever medication and recovery quickly and effectively.

Children two years old and older can use these sheets to assist in lowering heat and naturally treat fever. When your child exhibits indications of a fever, it is simple to utilise.

Additionally, each sheet’s cooling effect lasts for up to eight hours.

It gently and securely attaches to the infant’s forehead so that even when the child rotates his or her head, it remains in place. Additionally, even if the wearer turns over in bed, it is not displaced.

Features we love:

• The adhesive gel sheet stays well in place even when the user turns in bed or makes any body movement.
• A comfortable and stable cooling effect lasts for the whole night (about eight hours).
• Suitable for two to 12 years old.

Paximol Paracetamol Oral Suspension for Infants

Best for infants 

When it comes to medication for children, safety is always a top priority. That’s why it’s reassuring to know that Paximol Paracetamol Oral Suspension is specifically formulated for infants and children.

It contains paracetamol, a common and trusted ingredient for fever and pain relief, and is free from ibuprofen and aspirin, which can be harsh on a child’s delicate system.

The oral suspension form also makes it easier for children to take, as they don’t have to swallow pills. With the added benefit of being sugar-free and gentle on the stomach, Paximol is a safe and effective option for children.

Plus, the added packaging ensures that the product remains uncontaminated and safe for use, giving parents peace of mind in their child’s well-being.

Features we love:

• Has a pleasant strawberry flavour.
• It is gentle on the stomach and is aspirin-free. 
• Effectively reduces fever and relieves pain, headache, toothache, earache, teething pain, symptoms of cold, flu, and pain after vaccination.
• Appropriate for infants and children aged three months to 12 years old.

Price Comparison Table

Note: Each item and price is up to date as of publication. However, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.

Home remedies and medication for fever

Typically, a viral fever is nothing to be concerned about. Most viruses heal on their own and are a component of the healing process in both children and adults. But for faster healing, what home remedies and medication for fever can you do?

• Sponge bath: When your kid has a fever, have them sit in a bath of lukewarm water, which will feel cool. Let your kid take a sponge bath in warm water. (Using cold water will result in their body warming up rather than cooling down.)
• Liquids: If your kid has a viral fever, let them drink as much as they can to replace lost fluids. Additionally, it doesn’t have to be just water. The following can all hydrate your kid:
  • Juice
  • Sports drinks
  • Broths
  • Soups
  • Decaffeinated tea
• Rest: A viral fever is an indication that an illness is being fought off by your child’s body. Give them some leeway and let them relax as much as they can. Even if they can’t stay in bed all day, let your child limit their physical activities as much as they can.

When your kid has a cough, better treat it right away; read: Best Cough Medicine to Treat Your Sick Child