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Can Mefenamic Acid Be Given For Fever In A Child?

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Posted on Tue, 2 Aug 2016
Question: My 1 year old child has fever, and my doctor prescribed mefenamic acid suspension, and amoxycillin and pottasium clavlanate oral suspension IP. He didnt prescribed any paracetamol. Will mefenamic acid suspension suit my child? Is there any side effects for this drugs?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (49 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Do not use Mefenamic acid please

Detailed Answer:
Hi...Thank you for consulting in Health Care magic. Greetings from XXXXXXX

Fever of few days without any localizing signs could as well a viral illness. Usually rather than fever, what is more important is the activity of the child, in between 2 fever episodes on the same day. If the kid is active and playing around when there is no fever, it is probably viral illness and it doesn't require antibiotics (LIKE AMOXICILLIN CLAVULENATE) at all.

Once viral fever comes it will there for 4-7 days. So do not worry about duration if the kid is active.

Paracetamol can be given in the dose of 15mg/kg/dose (maximum ceiling dose of 500mg) every 4-6th hourly that too only if fever is more than 100F. I suggest not using combination medicines for fever, especially with Paracetamol.

Mefenamic acid is a NSAID group of drug. It carries the risk of gastritis and renal problems in the long run. Please do not use Mefenamic acid.

IF YOU CAN GET BACK TO ME WITH CURRENT WEIGHT OF THE CHILD - I WILL BE GLAD TO SUGGEST YOU THE DOSE AND STRENGTH OF PARACETAMOL SUSPENSION.

Hope my answer was helpful for you. I am happy to help any time. Further clarifications and consultations on Health care magic are welcome. If you do not have any clarifications, you can close the discussion and rate the answer. Wish your kid good health.
Dr. Sumanth MBBS., DCH., DNB (Paed).,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (29 minutes later)
My baby's weight is 9kg, He is prescribed 2.5ml of Mefenamic acid, and 5ml of AMOXICILLIN , 3 times per day. This is the first time we tried the Mefenamic acid, (before 1 year, we were prescribed paracetamol 125). Now he vomits sometimes (mostly when he cried a lot), active and playing while no fever even with mild fever.

When we check with doctor, he had 100F fever. Is mefenamic acid will cause the side effects at the first time use? because i have seen my son, trying pushing hard to release gas, (or may be tried to pee). Is there any abdominal pain ? or Is it because of the Mefenamic acid.(because i have seen that symptom today only, after using this medicine)?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
You can give P-125. 5.5 ml

Detailed Answer:
Hi...coming to your queries one by one -

1. You can give P-125 suspension 5.5ml every 4-6th hourly once if temperature is more than 100F.

2. Don't worry about giving a single dose of mefenamic acid, but here after Avoid it.

3. Mefenamic acid can cause gastritis but not gas problem, so do not worry about it.

4. The antibiotic you are using can cause mild diarrhoea, please keep this in mind.

Regards - Dr. Sumanth
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Sumanth Amperayani

Pediatrician, Pulmonology

Practicing since :2003

Answered : 8339 Questions

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Can Mefenamic Acid Be Given For Fever In A Child?

Brief Answer: Do not use Mefenamic acid please Detailed Answer: Hi...Thank you for consulting in Health Care magic. Greetings from XXXXXXX Fever of few days without any localizing signs could as well a viral illness. Usually rather than fever, what is more important is the activity of the child, in between 2 fever episodes on the same day. If the kid is active and playing around when there is no fever, it is probably viral illness and it doesn't require antibiotics (LIKE AMOXICILLIN CLAVULENATE) at all. Once viral fever comes it will there for 4-7 days. So do not worry about duration if the kid is active. Paracetamol can be given in the dose of 15mg/kg/dose (maximum ceiling dose of 500mg) every 4-6th hourly that too only if fever is more than 100F. I suggest not using combination medicines for fever, especially with Paracetamol. Mefenamic acid is a NSAID group of drug. It carries the risk of gastritis and renal problems in the long run. Please do not use Mefenamic acid. IF YOU CAN GET BACK TO ME WITH CURRENT WEIGHT OF THE CHILD - I WILL BE GLAD TO SUGGEST YOU THE DOSE AND STRENGTH OF PARACETAMOL SUSPENSION. Hope my answer was helpful for you. I am happy to help any time. Further clarifications and consultations on Health care magic are welcome. If you do not have any clarifications, you can close the discussion and rate the answer. Wish your kid good health. Dr. Sumanth MBBS., DCH., DNB (Paed).,