Dr Phil Kieran: Paracetamol or ibuprofen or both for my sick child?

"Let’s first look at what they have in common. Both are painkillers, and they can bring down a temperature. They are also safe for children to use as long as the instructions are followed. Other than that, they aren’t really the same."

Could you explain the difference between paracetamol and ibuprofen? I know they can both be used to treat high temperatures, but I am unsure when to use one or the other. A friend recently told me you can alternate between the two. My children are aged five and seven.

The difference between paracetamol and ibuprofen can be confusing and cause a lot of worry for parents trying to pick which one they should use in any given situation.