Fever
Elevation of body temperature above 37.5 °C as part of the systemic response to infection or other stimuli.
ICD-10 R502 drugs
Also known as: Pyrexia
Drugs used for this condition
- AIbuprofenFirst line · Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)Ibuprofen is a first-line antipyretic alongside paracetamol. Adult single dose is 200–400 mg. In children the dose is 5–10 mg/kg. Antipyretic effect lasts 6–8 hours, longer than paracetamol.
- AParacetamolFirst line · Anilides. Analgesics and antipyreticsParacetamol is first-line for symptomatic fever reduction in adults and children. Pediatric dose: 15 mg/kg every 4–6 hours, up to 60 mg/kg/day. Lowering fever does not speed recovery from infection and is only used when fever is poorly tolerated. In children with a history of febrile seizures, paracetamol does not prevent recurrences.
How to read tiers A–F
Evidence tiers belong to the drug-indication pair, not to the drug as a whole: the same substance can be A for one condition and F for another.
- AStrong evidence – first or second line in international guidelines
- BRecommended in selected cases
- CStudy data contradict each other
- DBenefit not proven, no documented harm
- FDocumented harm, or risk without benefit