Test Your Knowledge

Patients, or parents and caregivers of patients, should consult physicians before taking any additional prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, nutritional supplements or herbal medications.

Parents should not give more than one fever reducer or pain reliever to their child at one time unless a physician directs them to do so. In addition, parents are urged to carefully check the ingredients of other medications. For example, some cold remedies may contain a pain reliever or fever reducer, such as acetaminophen, in the ingredients.

Before using analgesics (pain relievers) or antipyretics (fever reducers), patients should inform their physician if they have ever had an allergic reaction to any type of analgesic, including acetaminophen, aspirin or other salicylates (e.g., methylsalicylate). Parents should also tell their child’s physician if the child has ever had a reaction to any other medications.

Medications that can impact treatment with analgesics or antipyretics include:

Patients should also report any allergies to other substances such as foods, preservatives or dyes. Alcohol and other CNS depressants should not be used with pain and fever medications. Examples of CNS depressants include:

• Anesthetics
• Antihistamines or other allergy medications
• Antiseizure medications
• Cold medications
• Muscle relaxants
• Any prescription pain medication
• Sedatives, tranquilizers or sleeping pills

Other medications, or substances, that may adversely interact with analgesics or antipyretics include:

• Caffeine
• Phenothiazine (antipsychotic)
• Rifampin (tuberculosis medicine)
• Vitamin supplements
• Watercress