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Pain-relief medicine for children - paracetamol and ibuprofen

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    Key points

    • If your child is in pain from an illness or injury, you may want to give them medicine to help.
    • Paracetamol and ibuprofen are two of the most common pain-relief medicines.
    • Pain-relief medicines do not treat the cause of your child's pain, but they should make them more comfortable.
    • Follow the instructions on the medicine package and give your child the right dose according to their weight.
    • Take your child to see their doctor or health professional if they need pain-relief medicine for more than 48 hours.
    • Store all medicines safely so children cannot access them.
    • If you think your child has had too much medicine, call the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26 in Australia) or take them to the nearest hospital emergency department.
    • Call an ambulance (000) immediately if your child stops breathing, loses consciousness or starts having seizures.

    What is pain-relief medicine?

    Pain-relief medicine aims to reduce pain.

    Some pain-relief medicines are available at supermarkets and pharmacies without a prescription – these are called over-the-counter medicines. Two of the most common types of over-the-counter pain relief are paracetamol and anti-inflammatory medicines like ibuprofen.

    Paracetamol and ibuprofen are safe for children when taken properly. They do not treat the cause of your child's pain, but they should make them more comfortable.

    What is the difference between paracetamol and ibuprofen?

    Paracetamol and ibuprofen are different types of medicine. For most pain, they work equally well.

    Both paracetamol and ibuprofen help to reduce pain, but ibuprofen also reduces inflammation (redness and swelling).

    It is safe to give your child paracetamol and ibuprofen together if your child has severe pain, as they work differently in the body. However, one pain-relief medicine is usually strong enough to help with everyday pain.

    Signs your child is in pain

    Older children can usually tell you when they are in pain. However, they may not be able to tell you exactly where their pain is.

    Some signs your baby or younger child may be in pain are:

    • Crying, screaming or grimacing
    • Changes to their sleeping or eating patterns – for example, not eating or drinking
    • Acting quiet and withdrawn
    • Refusing to move or unable to get comfortable.

    How to care for your child's pain at home

    Pain is a common symptom of many injuries and illnesses in children.

    • Caring for a child’s pain is all about comfort. Start by trying to get them into a comfortable position – whether that is in bed or on a couch. You may want to give them hugs or kisses and hold them, or sit with them until they settle.
    • Distraction is very useful for pain. For example, a warm compress on the belly may help an upset stomach, while an ice or cold pack may help to take away the pain from an injury.
    • If comfort and distraction do not work, you may want to give them pain-relief medicine.
      • Paracetamol is safe to give to children of any age. However, it is best to speak with a doctor first if your child is under one month old.
      • Ibuprofen is safe to give to children over three months old.
      • Never give aspirin to your child for pain unless a doctor prescribes it. The medicine can cause a rare but serious illness called Reye syndrome.
    • Remember, paracetamol and ibuprofen will not treat the cause of your child's pain – only the pain itself. If their pain does not go away within 48 hours, see a doctor or health professional.

    Paracetamol

    Ibuprofen
    Available forms
    • Liquid.
    • Suspension (liquid you need to shake).
    • Elixir (clear liquid – usually sweet).
    • Chewable tablets.
    • Suppositories.
    		 Available forms
    • Liquid.
    • Suspension (liquid you need to shake).
    • Chewable capsules.
    When it is safe to give
    • Any age; speak with a doctor first if your baby is under one month old.
    		 When it is safe to give
    • Over three months old.
    How much to give
    • Check the right dose for your child’s weight, according to the medicine package, unless you have instructions from a doctor or pharmacist.
    • If your child is taking any other medicine, check that the medicine does not contain paracetamol first.
    		 How much to give
    • Check the right dose for your child’s weight, according to the medicine package, unless you have instructions from a doctor or pharmacist.
    How often to give
    • A maximum of four times in 24 hours, at least four to six hours apart.
    • If you need to give your child paracetamol for more than 48 hours, you should take them to see a doctor.
    		 How often to give
    • A maximum of three times in 24 hours, at least six hours apart.
    • If you need to give your child ibuprofen for more than 48 hours, you should take them to see a doctor.
    How to give
    • With or without food.
    		 How to give
    • With food or milk – you can give it on an empty stomach for less than two days, but it may upset the stomach.

    Giving both paracetamol and ibuprofen

    It is safe to give both paracetamol and ibuprofen at the same time, or to give one and then the other, following advice on the medicine packages.

    Make sure you keep track of the doses. It may help to set a timer on your phone to remind you when the next dose of each medicine is due, or write a note somewhere visible, like the fridge, to avoid double-dosing medicine.

    Medicine safety

    Taking too much medicine can be dangerous. Paracetamol is one of the most common medicines that children accidentally overdose on.

    • Paracetamol overdose causes liver and kidney damage.
    • Ibuprofen overdose can cause stomach upset and inflammation, kidney damage and in rare cases, drowsiness.

    Do not give your child more medicine than the package suggests, unless you have advice to do so from a doctor.

    Call the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26 in Australia) if you think your child has had too much medicine and take them to the nearest hospital emergency department. If your child stops breathing, loses consciousness or starts having seizures, call an ambulance (000) immediately.

    To prevent your child from accidentally taking medicine:

    • Always store medicines out of reach of children. It is best to keep them in a locked or child-proof cupboard.
    • Do not take medicine out of the package until you are ready to give it to your child or take it yourself. Medicine packages are designed to be hard for children to open.
    • Always leave the child-resistant lid on a bottle of liquid medicine. Note that most children can open a child-resistant lid eventually, so you should not rely on them.

    When to get help

    Call an ambulance (000) if:
    • your child stops breathing, loses consciousness or starts having seizures.

    Go to a hospital if:
    • your child has had too much paracetamol or ibuprofen, and you have called Poisons Information Centre.

    See a doctor or health professional if:
    • you have been giving your child paracetamol or ibuprofen to help their pain for 48 hours and they are still not better.
    • comfort measures and pain-relief medicine are not helping your child manage their pain.

    Look after your child at home if:
    • comfort measures and pain-relief medicine are helping your child manage their pain.

    Common questions about pain-relief medicine

    I am not sure how much my child weighs. Should I give them the medicine dose recommended on the package for their age?

    The ages listed on the medicine package are a guide only, based on average weight. If you do not know your child’s weight, give them the dose listed for their age. However, if you know your child is a lot lighter than most children their age, give them the dose recommended for the next age bracket down (younger).

    Should I give my child paracetamol or ibuprofen?

    Paracetamol and ibuprofen should work equally well for most causes of pain in children. If your child is over three months old, start with one medicine, and if it does not work or they do not like it, switch to the other.

    If I am taking my child to the doctor or emergency department, should I wait until they see a doctor before giving pain medicine?

    Pain-relief medicine will not mask any signs of serious illness. It is best to give your child medicine before taking them to the doctor or hospital. This will ensure they are as comfortable as possible.

    My child has a fever but is not in pain. Should I give them pain-relief medicine?

    If your child seems well and is happy, there is no need to treat their fever (temperature of 38°C or more). Fever may actually help the immune system fight off infections. If your child is miserable or uncomfortable, you can give them paracetamol or ibuprofen to help them feel better.

    My child spits out liquid medication. Are there other options?

    It is common for children to spit out or refuse liquid medicine. Speak with a pharmacist for suggestions on how to give your child medicine.

    If your child will not take liquid or swallow tablet medicine, speak with a pharmacist about other suitable pain-medicine options, such as suppositories or chewable capsules and tablets.

    Are there any side effects of taking paracetamol and ibuprofen?

    All medicines have a risk of side effects. However, paracetamol and ibuprofen are considered safe medicines for children when taken properly. Read the medicine package to learn more about the side effects of specific medicines. You can also speak with your child’s doctor or a pharmacist.

    How does pain-relief medicine work?

    All pain medicines work differently in the body, based on their active ingredients. Some work to stop pain signals in the brain; others block chemicals that cause pain.

    For more information


    Developed by The Royal Children’s Hospital Emergency department, with input from the Pharmacy department. We acknowledge the input of RCH consumers and carers.

    Reviewed October 2025

    Please always seek the most recent advice from a registered and practising clinician.


Disclaimer

This information is intended to support, not replace, discussion with your doctor or healthcare professionals. The authors of these consumer health information handouts have made a considerable effort to ensure the information is accurate, up to date and easy to understand. The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne accepts no responsibility for any inaccuracies, information perceived as misleading, or the success of any treatment regimen detailed in these handouts. Information contained in the handouts is updated regularly and therefore you should always check you are referring to the most recent version of the handout. The onus is on you, the user, to ensure that you have downloaded the most up-to-date version of a consumer health information handout.

Updated July 2025

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