When to use suppositories (rectal suppositories) to reduce fever in children?

Posted by Pharmacist Nguyen Huy Khiem - Clinical Pharmacist - Faculty of Pharmacy - Vinmec Times City International Hospital

Fever is a common symptom in young children, usually parents can manage fever for children with over-the-counter medicines. However, for cases of vomiting or uncooperative children, rectal antipyretics, suppositories are the best choice.

1. When to use suppositories, fever reducers for children?

Usually, when a child has a fever, parents can treat the child's fever with some over-the-counter oral medications such as paracetamol / acetaminophen (brand name: Efferalgan, Panadol, Hapacol,...) or ibuprofen (brand name: Efferalgan, Panadol, Hapacol,...) brand name: Brufen,...). However, in cases where the child vomits, or is uncooperative (the child is fussy, does not want to take the medicine, does not like the taste of the medicine), antipyretic drugs placed rectally (anus) or suppositories will be an option. that many parents consider.
Here are a few points to keep in mind to use this drug safely and effectively.

2. Composition of antipyretic suppositories

In Vietnam, the most common rectal antipyretic is Efferalgan suppo with the active ingredient paracetamol. The drug is available in 80 mg, 150 mg and 300 mg strengths. Dosage of suppositories is similar to oral: 10-15 mg/kg/time (maximum not more than 500 mg/time), the next dose can be used every 4-6 hours (total daily dose should not exceed 75 mg/kg/day).
It should be noted that fever-reducing suppositories have the same paracetamol composition as some other oral antipyretics (Efferalgan, Panadol, Hapacol,...), so to avoid the risk of drug overdose, the dose must be adhered to. and the interval between each of the above drug administration for both routes of administration: rectal and oral.

3. Steps to use rectal suppositories

The steps to use rectal suppositories are as follows:

Các bước sử dụng thuốc đạn đặt trực tràng

4. Undesirable effects when using fever-reducing suppositories for children

Rectal has a small absorptive area, small amount of fluid, so placing the medicine in this position can cause irritation, causing the child to have anal itching, bowel movements, or fecal incontinence. In case the parent's manipulation of the medicine is too strong, causing damage to the anal area, it will cause pain, even bleeding, and easy infection.
In addition, some of the following cases should not be used for children with fever-reducing suppositories, including: children are having diarrhea, or are having lesions - anorectal infections (anal fissures, bleeding). blood,...).
To minimize unwanted side effects, when using suppositories, suppositories for children, parents need to strictly follow the doctor's instructions. If the child has any abnormal symptoms, parents should take the child to a medical facility for timely examination and treatment.

Pediatrics Department at Vinmec International General Hospital is the address for receiving and examining diseases that infants and young children are susceptible to such as: viral fever, bacterial fever, otitis media, pneumonia in children ,.... With modern equipment, sterile space, minimizing the impact as well as the risk of disease spread and the visiting doctors are all professional and well-trained, the visit Examination, treatment and prevention of diseases for children is no longer a big concern for parents.