Q: My baby vomited fever medicine right after taking it. Should I give another dose right away?

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Question:

My 11-month-old baby had a fever of 101.1°F (38.4°C) and seemed very uncomfortable, so I gave him an ibuprofen-type fever reducer. However, he had projectile vomit about a minute after taking the medicine. Should I give him another dose? If so, should I do it immediately?

Answer:

It must have been worrying when your baby threw up the medicine right after you gave it. Here is what you should do.

What to Do Now

* Vomiting within 1-2 minutes: If a child has projectile vomit almost immediately after taking medicine, it's very likely that little to none of the medication was absorbed.

* Do NOT re-dose immediately: The stomach is currently irritated, and giving another dose right away could cause more vomiting.

* Wait 20–30 minutes: Allow your child's stomach to settle. Once they are calm and can tolerate small sips of water, you can try giving the same dose again.

* Test with water first: Before giving the medicine, check if your child can keep down a small amount of water. You can offer one teaspoon of water every 5 minutes. If they do not vomit the water, you can then re-administer the medicine.

Warning Signs—Seek Medical Care Today

If your child shows any of the following signs, you should see a pediatrician or go to the emergency room:

* Repeated vomiting, unable to keep even water down.

* No urine for more than 8 hours.

* Appears very lethargic or is not making eye contact.

* Has difficulty breathing or has blueish lips.

* Develops a rash with red spots on the neck or chest that do not fade when you press on them.

A Note on Alternating Medicines

The time between the dose of an acetaminophen-type medicine and an ibuprofen-type medicine was adequate in your case. However, for future fevers, it is often safer and less confusing to stick to one type of fever reducer if it is effective. Alternating between two different types can increase the risk of dosing errors.

Try the water test after 20-30 minutes before attempting to give the medicine again. If your baby vomits again or shows any of the warning signs listed above, please seek prompt medical evaluation.

For extra peace of mind and clear guidance when tracking your child's symptoms, the FeverCoach app is always there to help.

https://fevercoach.us