What should I do if my fever doesn't subside after taking ibuprofen?

Sep 11, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Wang Lei
Introduction
Failing to reduce fever after taking ibuprofen may be caused by insufficient medication time, inadequate water intake, an insufficient drug dose, viral infection, bacterial infection, or other reasons. It is recommended to seek timely medical attention, identify the underlying cause, and then improve the condition through general treatment, medication, or other methods under a doctor's guidance. In daily life, maintain good indoor ventilation, keep the room temperature between 24-26℃, and avoid excessive environmental heat that may affect heat dissipation.

Generally, if fever does not subside after taking ibuprofen, it may be due to insufficient medication time, inadequate water intake, insufficient drug dosage, viral infection, bacterial infection, or other reasons. It is recommended to seek timely medical consultation to identify the cause and improve the condition under a doctor's guidance through general treatments, medication, and other methods. The specific analysis is as follows:

1. Insufficient medication time: Ibuprofen typically starts exerting its fever-reducing effect 30 minutes to 1 hour after administration. If the medication has been taken for too short a period, the drug may not have taken effect yet. Patiently wait for the drug to act, and avoid frequently increasing the dosage during this period.

2. Inadequate water intake: Dehydration can impair sweat secretion and evaporation, hindering heat dissipation and reducing the fever-lowering effectiveness of ibuprofen. Increase intake of warm water immediately, consuming 100-150 ml each time, with a total daily intake maintained at 1500-2000 ml to promote sweating and assist in reducing fever.

3. Insufficient drug dosage: Failure to take the appropriate dosage of ibuprofen according to age or body weight may prevent effective inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis, making it difficult to achieve a fever-reducing effect. Adjust the dosage under a doctor's guidance according to standard protocols, and avoid self-adjusting the dosage.

4. Viral infection: Infections such as influenza virus or coronavirus involve extensive viral replication that triggers a persistent immune response, making fever difficult to control with ibuprofen alone. Patients may follow medical advice to use antiviral medications such as oseltamivir capsules, arbidol tablets, or Lianhua Qingwen capsules to inhibit viral replication.

5. Bacterial infection: Conditions such as bacterial tonsillitis or pneumonia, where bacterial toxins continuously stimulate the body, can cause persistent high fever. Follow medical advice to use anti-infective medications such as amoxicillin capsules, cefuroxime axetil tablets, or levofloxacin tablets to control inflammation at its source.

In daily life, ensure good indoor ventilation and maintain room temperature between 24-26°C to avoid excessive environmental heat that hinders heat dissipation. Maintain a light and easily digestible diet, consuming more porridge, soft noodles, and other foods to replenish the body's energy needs. Closely monitor body temperature changes, record fluctuations, and provide reference data for doctors adjusting treatment plans.