What should I do if fever doesn't subside after taking antipyretics?
Apr 26, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Shuwen
Introduction
Not having a fever reduction after taking antipyretics may be due to the short duration of medication intake, meaning the drug has not yet taken full effect; in such cases, special treatment is generally unnecessary. It could also be due to an insufficient dosage, leading to poor therapeutic effect, in which case the dosage can be appropriately increased under a doctor's guidance to improve outcomes. Additionally, incorrect use of medication might be the cause, and switching to the appropriate medication can resolve the issue.
Fever reduction generally refers to antipyresis. Failure to reduce fever after taking antipyretic medication may be due to a short duration of intake, insufficient dosage, or incorrect use of the drug. Corresponding measures can be taken based on specific circumstances. Details are as follows:
1. Short duration of medication intake
Antipyretic drugs require a certain amount of time to take effect. If the medication has been taken for too short a period, it may not have exerted its therapeutic effect yet, thus failing to reduce fever. In such cases, no special treatment is usually needed; once the drug takes effect, fever reduction typically occurs.
2. Insufficient drug dosage
If the dose taken is too low, the effect may be insignificant. The dosage should be appropriately increased under a doctor's guidance to improve effectiveness.
3. Incorrect medication for the condition
In cases of central fever, antipyretic drugs may not be effective. Under medical guidance, treatment should be switched to corticosteroid medications, such as prednisone acetate tablets or dexamethasone acetate tablets.
Besides the above reasons, ineffective fever reduction might also result from changes in the physical properties of the antipyretic drug taken. In such cases, the medication should be replaced with one that has not undergone such changes.
