Tachipirina: when, how much and how to take it?

By Cristiano Antonino On Feb 13, 2023

When a child, but also an adult, presents symptoms of fever, the first thing that comes naturally to one’s mind, often even without first talking to a doctor, is to give Tachipirina

But are we really sure that this is the right choice? Are we sure that with a fever of 37.5° it is appropriate to administer this drug?

Let’s clarify a little and try to understand when this medicine should be given and when it is absolutely not.

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Tachipirina, what it is and what it is used for

Tachipirin is a drug whose active ingredient is paracetamol, a molecule which also gives its name to the generic drug and which forms the basis of the composition of numerous other drugs, obviously with different doses.

It is an antipyretic drug, i.e. it lowers temperature and fever, but is also a mild painkiller.

It is bought in pharmacies and a prescription is required depending on the dosage.

It is available in different formats: suppositories, tablets, sachets, effervescent tablets, syrup.

For children, usually, at least in paediatric age, the syrup is prescribed to be dosed according to the child’s age and weight.

Paracetamol and parents’ fears

Nowadays, unfortunately, there is an excessive use of this drug.

In recent years, the belief has taken root that high fever causes convulsions – this is not the case, there must be a predisposition for this to happen – so, at the first sign of fever, parents tend to give the child Tachipirin straight away, but this way of doing things, as we shall see, is absolutely incorrect.

More and more paediatricians are endorsing the prescription of paracetamol only when the fever exceeds 39°, provided that the child shows no obvious signs of discomfort or suffering.

The fever must run its course.

The body, in fact, puts this mechanism in place precisely to protect itself.

By raising the body temperature, our immune system fights off attacks from bacteria and viruses.

The brain, specifically the hypothalamus, regulates the rise in temperature.

Before using medication, then, it is good to know what to do.

Fever is not the cause, it is only a symptom

Given that fever is not the cause of the illness, but the symptom, evidently, of a bacterial or viral infection, here is what one should do before resorting to Tachipirina.

First, you should only cover the child when he or she feels cold and shivers, i.e. when his or her hands and feet are cold.

Once the temperature has risen, however, it should be relieved.

Therefore, lowering the fever is not always the right thing to do, especially if an antibiotic or antiviral has not been prescribed by the doctor.

By lowering the fever, in fact, we take away our body’s main defence.

As for antibiotics, which must be prescribed by the doctor, they are of no use if it is a viral attack.

When Tachipirina should be administered

Paracetamol can therefore be given when the fever exceeds 39° or is otherwise uncomfortable for the child.

If the little one has a fever of 39.5°, but plays quietly and interacts, then we can carefully monitor and wait before giving him the medicine.

On the other hand, if at 38.5° the child is dejected, lacks strength or has pain, then we can administer Tachipirina.

In any case, this medicine should never be taken if there is a sensitivity to it.

Pay close attention to the dosage.

As a general rule, you should always wait a minimum of 4 hours before taking it again, and in any case no more than three times a day.

Tachipirina usually starts to act after 40-60 minutes, but the fever drops about an hour after administration.

If the fever does not drop, the doctor can be called, or if he cannot come, a paediatric doctor.

The fact that the fever goes down and immediately returns means that there is an infection going on; it is a good idea to have the child examined to find out what is causing it.

What not to do if Tachipirina does not work

If the fever does not go down, it is useless to take risks with grandmother’s old methods.

Never lower the fever quickly.

Absolutely forbid ice packs, as well as sponging with ice water or worse still with ethyl alcohol.

It is better to wet a cloth with lukewarm water and place it on the child’s forehead, but never wet it with cold water.

Do not give a second dose of Tachipirina unless at least 4 hours have elapsed, just as you should never give a higher dose than that recommended in the package leaflet – it is a medicine and as such can have undesirable effects through overdose.

The best thing to do is always to take the child to the paediatrician.

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