KIDSAlternating paracetamol and ibuprofen is better for fevers
Is this true? Make your call, then see what the science says.
Short answer: It depends. The evidence is mixed.
Using both medicines can bring a temperature down more than paracetamol alone, at least for the first few hours. But it hasn't been shown to make children feel better, and it's easier to get the doses wrong.
AI-generated summary of the research cited · not reviewed by a medical professional · checked 14 October 2026 · How we checkWhat the research found
A 2024 network meta-analysis pooled 31 trials with 5009 children. It found alternating paracetamol and ibuprofen may work better than paracetamol alone at getting children's temperatures down by the fourth and sixth hours. Adverse events did not differ between ibuprofen, alternating or combined treatment. It only looked at the first 6 hours.
An earlier Cochrane review (2013) pooled six trials with 915 children. It found that giving both medicines together probably lowered temperature more at four hours than a single medicine. Only one trial measured how uncomfortable children were, and it found no significant difference between the treatments.
A 2011 paediatric review said combining the two is more effective than one alone. It also warned that combined treatment is more complicated and may lead to unsafe use. It said the main goal is the child's comfort, not a normal temperature, and that fever itself is not shown to worsen illness.
What it doesn’t mean
- A lower temperature is not the same as a better-feeling child. Studies have not shown that using both medicines improves comfort or recovery.
- Dosing limits still apply. Australian guidance says paracetamol should be given no more than 4 times in 24 hours and ibuprofen no more than 3 times. Ibuprofen is for babies over 3 months and is not advised for children with asthma or a bleeding disorder. Check other medicines don't also contain paracetamol.
- See a doctor if your child needs either medicine for more than 48 hours, or seems very unwell. Call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 if you think your child has had too much.
Sources
General information only, not medical advice. KIDS fact-checks are generated by AI from published research and are not reviewed by doctors or other health professionals. They can be wrong or out of date. Always talk to your GP or child’s doctor about your child, and call 000 in an emergency. Spotted a problem? Tell us.
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