Parents are urged not to give headache medications to their children without first consulting a physician. Dosage levels generally are lower for children than adults, with the proper dosage level typically based on a child’s weight rather than age. 

Infants and children should not take aspirin. Use of aspirin in children has been associated with Reye’s syndrome, a rare but extremely serious condition that affects all organs of the body and can be fatal. The risk of Reye’s syndrome is increased in children who take aspirin when they have a viral infection, such as the flu or chickenpox. Symptoms include:

• Vomiting
• Lethargy
• Behavioral changes, including belligerence

As a result of this risk, experts usually suggest that aspirin not be used by anyone under the age of 18, especially if they have a viral illness.

Ibuprofen should be given only to children who are older than 6 months of age, and should not be given to children under age 12 without close supervision of a physician. It should not be given to children who are dehydrated or who are vomiting continuously. Parents are urged to consult with their child’s physician before giving ibuprofen to children diagnosed with kidney disease, asthma, ulcers or other chronic illnesses.

Acetaminophen can be safely used to treat pain and fever in children. However, special attention must be paid to making sure children get the appropriate dosage of the drug. Acetaminophen overdose is among the most common causes of drug-related deaths in children and adolescents.

Other headache medications may also involve special considerations for children. For example, corticosteroids may make children more susceptible to viral infections and can delay growth if taken over a long period of time.