At what temperature should I give a fever suppository?
In babies and children without chronic diseases, fever suppositories should be given from a rectally measured body temperature above 39.5°C. It should be noted that fever is important for combating various pathogens. Fever below 39.5°C should therefore not be treated.
In children and babies who have already had febrile convulsions, fever suppositories should be administered at temperatures above 38.0°C if these last for more than one day. In addition to the administration of a fever suppository, care should be taken to ensure that feverish babies and children are not too cold or too warm. Calf compresses can additionally lower the body temperature. Our reaction also recommends: increased temperature – from when?
Effect of fever suppositories
Fever suppositories have a fever-reducing effect, as the name suggests. Both active ingredients used in Germany – ibuprofen and paracetamol – also have other effects. Ibuprofen has a pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory function in addition to its fever-reducing effect.
For most illnesses that require a fever reduction, this also leads to an improvement in general health and other symptoms such as headaches, neck, limb, bone or joint pain. Ibuprofen suppositories also have a slightly blood-thinning effect. If the correct dose is administered, the effect of a suppository lasts for about 3-6 hours.
Like ibuprofen, paracetamol has an analgesic and antipyretic effect, but is only mildly anti-inflammatory or not at all. Paracetamol also does not dilute the blood. For colds and other illnesses that cause fever and pain at the same time, paracetamol not only lowers the fever but also reduces pain and improves the general state of health. Although the mechanism of action has not yet been fully elucidated, it is considered to be a safe drug in babies from birth onward, due to the great experience with it, as long as it is dosed correctly.
Side effects of fever suppositories
The possible side effects of antipyretic suppositories depend on the respective active ingredient. Fever suppositories containing paracetamol are generally considered to be well tolerated and cause side effects in children and babies only relatively rarely. Possible adverse effects include damage to the liver, allergic reactions, skin rashes and gastrointestinal problems.Particularly noteworthy is the possible damage to the liver: an overdose of paracetamol is the most common cause of liver hypofunction in children and infants!
Therefore, the dosage must be strictly adhered to the manufacturer’s instructions and a doctor must be consulted if there are any uncertainties. With ibuprofen suppositories, side effects affecting the gastrointestinal tract are of primary concern: Abdominal pain, nausea, bloating, heartburn and diarrhoea may occur. They can also cause allergic reactions or headaches.
High doses and children with kidney disease may damage the kidneys. In infants and young children who cannot yet articulate properly, pain or other side effects are often difficult to detect. Signs that something is wrong after the administration of suppositories are increased crying, moaning, refusal to eat, certain relieving postures, or resistance to being touched.
