• Skip to main content

International Medical Clinic (IMC)

International Medical Clinic (IMC) specialises in family, paediatric and travel medicine. IMC has provided medical care in Singapore for over 17 years and is the first choice medical provider for the international community.

  • About
    • About Us
    • Health Guide 2022
    • Having a baby in Singapore
    • Our Friends
    • News
    • Social Responsibility
    • FAQs
  • Services
    • Health Screening Singapore
    • Skin Prick Allergy Testing
    • Adolescent Screening
    • Contraception
    • IV Iron Infusion
    • Telemedicine
    • Targeted Medicals
    • Forms
    • Offshore Medical Assessments
    • Travel Medication Kits
  • Doctors
  • Patients
    • Our Patients
    • Register
    • Insurance
  • Careers
    • Who we are
    • Careers at IMC
    • Join Our Team
  • Contact Us
    • IMC Children’s
    • IMC Jelita
    • IMC Katong
    • IMC Camden
  • Covid-19
    • Covid-19 Testing
    • Registration of Overseas Covid-19 Vaccination
    • Sinopharm Covid-19 Vaccination Request
    • FAQs – Pre-Departure Covid Test
  • Appointments
    • 65 6733 4440
      Camden
    • 65 6887 4440

      Children’s
    • 65 6465 4440
      Jelita
    • 65 6342 4440
      Katong

Dr Tsin Uin Foong compares Ibuprofen and Paracetamol

28 November, 2017 by International Medical Clinic

When can Paracetamol or Ibuprofen be given?

Paracetamol (Panadol ®, Calpol®, Tylenol®) and Ibuprofen (Neurofen®, Advil®) are the 2 most common medications given for fever and pain. In children, the dose of the medication is calculated according to the weight of the child. Paracetamol is effective for 6 hours, and Ibuprofen for 8 hours, hence Paracetamol is given 4 times a day, and Ibuprofen 3 times a day. At the end of the time block, you might notice the fever or pain returning. Ibuprofen should not be used in someone or used in caution in a person with asthma or history of stomach ulcers.

What should you give a child with a fever?

Paracetamol should be the first choice of medication for a child with a fever. Ibuprofen can be added on if the fever is above 39.5C. In this case, a dose of medication should be given every 3-4 hours, strictly alternating between Paracetamol and Ibuprofen. This should adequately keep the temperature down and keep within the safe limit of each medication.

If the child is under 12 months old with a very high temperature (>39.5C), the child should be seen by a doctor. For older children, a prolonged high temperature for over 48 hours should also be an indication to be seen. If a child’s temperature does not respond to the medication at all, and remain lethargic or drowsy, then they should also be seen soon. If a child has a high temperature with no commonly associated symptoms of a cold, runny nose or sore throat, they should also be seen by a doctor, as the diagnosis of dengue needs to be considered. In the case of dengue, Ibuprofen should not be used.

Please note:

It is important to stress that medications bought in another country might be of a different strength/concentration, so it is important to check very carefully the strength and not assume that the dose is always the same.

Dr Foong Tsin UinDr Foong is a graduate of the Royal Free Hospital (University of London). Since joining IMC in 2014 Dr Foong has developed her practice amongst families with children, as well as managing mental health issues, especially women with post-natal depression. She is based at IMC Katong 

If you would like an appointment please call: 6342 4440 or book online: https://www.imc-healthcare.com/appointments/ 

You may find our Previous post of interest Dr Kaye covers Roseola, a common childhood illness

Filed Under: News

Make an Appointment

Request Online
Call Us
15 June, 2022

Bowel Cancer: Causes, symptoms and importance of screening

June is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month in Australia, and Bowel Cancer is the second biggest cause of ... Read more →

6 June, 2022

Monkeypox: What we know

Monkeypox is a disease caused by an Orthopoxvirus. It originates from countries in Central and West ... Read more →

23 May, 2022

Singapore haze: How does it impact your health

Most Singaporeans are familiar with haze as the Southeast Asian haze problem happens almost every ... Read more →

© 2022 International Medical Clinic Pte Ltd

  • Copyright
  • Privacy Policy

Website by Singapore Web Design