MetaChat - Flu / Ibuprofen / Acetaminophen advice?

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26 February 2008

Flu / Ibuprofen / Acetaminophen advice? So it looks like I have the flu.→[More:]I've never had it before and I'm not liking it. Major headache, fever, chills and just dragged out. I move like a snail when I move at all. I couple of ibuprophen knocked it back pretty well for a few hours, but not for the required 8 hours before I can dose again according to the label.

I just talked to my doctor's secretary (the doctor is out today) who said I could stagger doses of ibuprophen and acetaminophen to try to fill in the gaps. Has anyone done this?

Any other advice?

post by: DarkForest at: 13:51 | 11 comments

I have been told the same thing, though it was more of a one-time thing trying to deal with cramps and an unrelated fever, I think.

posted by occhiblu 26 February | 13:55

I meant, I only did it as a one-time thing, so I don't have advice about doing it on a regular basis. The advice didn't restrict it to a one-time thing.

posted by occhiblu 26 February | 13:57

Yeah, I've done that too.

posted by gaspode 26 February | 13:58

I've heard several doctors say it's totally fine to take paracetamol (acetaminophen) and ibuprofen in tandem, at four-hour intervals. The paracetamol should help with the fever.

Hope you feel better soon - don't try to do anything...

posted by altolinguistic 26 February | 14:12

I've done it for a whole month when the doctors were trying to get me off tylenol with codeine from a leg fracture. I actually found it to be more effective than tylenol with codeine. However, I would suggest every six hours rather than every four, because acetaminophen/paracetamol/tylenol in excess (and not even a great excess) can damage the liver and perhaps kidneys.

posted by lleachie 26 February | 14:18

I could stagger doses of ibuprophen and acetaminophen to try to fill in the gaps. Has anyone done this?

Yes. I've done it once or twice with my kids, when there fever was difficult to bring down.

Here is some info from Dr. Sears. This information is geared for kids, but I thought it might be useful:

GETTING THROUGH THE NIGHT

* First step – decide if the fever warrants treatment as discussed above.
* Medications
o Acetaminophen– this fever reducer/pain reliever has been around a long time and is effective is most cases. It can be given every 4 hours. Click on it for dosing chart.
o New research in 2001 has shown that giving an initial double dose of acetaminophen for high fevers is both safe and more effective to bring down that high fever fast. Only give a double dose if the fever is high. You can only give a double dose once every few days if needed. Any other doses should be the regular dose.
o Ibuprofen– this newer medication is also effective for fever and pain. It often works better for higher fevers, and lasts longer too. It can be given every 6 hours. It was previously only approved for children 6 months and older. Recently it was approved safe and effective for infants down to two months of age. Click on it for dosing chart.
o Using both medications – it is best to only use one of these two medications. However, if one by itself isn't enough or wears off too soon, then it is safe to give the other medication on top of the first without waiting. Another option is to alternate between them every 3 hours. Give acetaminophen at 8:00, ibuprofen at 11:00, acetaminophen at 2:00 and so on.
o WARNING – don't give ASPIRIN to children 12 and under.

posted by LoriFLA 26 February | 14:33

Hey DarkForest, I've done the piggybacking thing too. Also, TheraFlu and Nyquil helped me. Remember to stay hydrated - it's really important & it does make a big difference!

posted by chewatadistance 26 February | 14:35

You might see if you can snag a prescription for rimantadine or one of its equivalents.

Last time I saw a doctor for the flu (and it's probably been about 15 years), he gave me some. I think you just take one pill, and you have to take it within 24-48 hours of developing symptoms. It was a total godsend, though. My fever was gone the following day and most of my symptoms were gone two days later.

posted by mudpuppie 26 February | 15:00

Thanks everyone. Using this staggered combo I've actually managed to get a couple of hours sleep. Still headachy, but not feeling like death.

posted by DarkForest 26 February | 18:24

I'm doing just that right now.
Wooo flu buddy!

posted by kellydamnit 26 February | 18:51

OMG TheraFlu is my favorite thing to have when I've got a flu or cold. I'm going to make some now...

Nthing the go ahead on piggybacking your drugs. I did it on and off for a year or so, mixed with rx drugs, when I was fighting daily migraines or tension headaches or something. I wanted to die that year.

posted by youngergirl44 26 February | 19:32

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