IWK statement on liquid acetaminophen and ibuprofen product availability

August 17, 2022

Pharmacies in the community are currently having a supply chain issue with the above mentioned products; making it difficult for parents to access liquid products for the treatment of pain and fever.  The IWK would like to reassure our patients and families that pharmacists are always available to advise on medication alternatives and ensure that your child is receiving the appropriate treatment.  There is no need for a prescription for over the counter pain and fever treatments.

• Here are some recommendations from the IWK to help through the shortage.
• Consider alternative formulations in discussion with your pharmacist.  Chewable tablets, suppositories and meltaways alternatives.
• Consider if now is the time to teach your child to swallow tablets; if the required dose can be achieved with a regular strength tablet or partial tablet.  Please see KidzMed-Comic-Poster-English.pdf (e-lfh.org.uk) for some helpful tips to help with this.
• Remember that treating a fever is about treating how your child feels, not treating the number on the thermometer.  If your child feels well and is otherwise behaving normally for them despite a fever, treatment is not needed.
• Ensure you are employing all available non drug options to treat your child for their comfort, like ice packs for sprains and strains.

The IWK has sufficient supply of these medications currently for our inpatients and emergency department.  We will continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure continued supply.