For those who vaccinate

[kangaroomum25]

do you give tylenol/panadol after or before the vaccination? Why or why not?

[applejuice]

I do not vaccinate.

Hilary Butler who used to be a member around these parts, strongly advocated against it as it taxes the liver as the vax taxes the immune system...or something like that. It is a dangerous combination, at any rate.

You can probably do a search on this subject in the archives and find some threads or posts that address this routine.

[carriebft]

I don't think I've ever given this after. First, I don't recall ever thinking it was needed for fever or anything. But also I guess it might mask a reaction, which would totally defeat the purpose of doing one at a time to watch for reactions and holding off on future ones if we see a reaction.

[Bellejar]

generally I wait until after and usually if there is not problem I dont' use anything. I have given it for a fever following a vaccine on occassion, but only when there was sleeping involved

[LittleBlessings]

I did it before. It was recommened that I do it that way so the medication has kicked in by the time the child has had the vaccination.

[rachelsmama]

Back when I was still vaxing dd I didn't do the tylenol because getting it into her was more traumatic than the needles. Also, recently, I was reading about the high autism rate among Somali refugees and there was some mention that tylenol at the time of vaccination might possibly be a contributing factor to autism. I don't remember the details though and I think it's still purely speculation.

[catters]

I only vax one at a time and DS hasn't had any real reactions to anything, (like pain or swelling). After a DTaP, I did give him some homeopathic ledum tablets and he seemed quite fine. I try not to use tylenol unless he has a fever.

[lemurik]

I don't because I would want to see a reaction if there is one (I only do one shot at a time too). Also I don't believe in unnecessary drug use and giving any drugs, however safe, just in case.

[BugMacGee]

I rarely give my kids anything. They wouldn't take it if i did. Never for vax.

[Crazybean]

Originally Posted by rachelsmama

Back when I was still vaxing dd I didn't do the tylenol because getting it into her was more traumatic than the needles. Also, recently, I was reading about the high autism rate among Somali refugees and there was some mention that tylenol at the time of vaccination might possibly be a contributing factor to autism. I don't remember the details though and I think it's still purely speculation.

I read the same article and I think the main point was that the tylenol after a vaccine can mask the fever and other reactions. If the body has a natural response to cause a fever to kill anything dangerous, it makes sense as to why a fever reducing med could cause harm. The body wouldn't be able to use it's natural defenses to kill off a germ because the tylenol stopped it so then the germ/disease/bacteria ect can do its damage.

[SoCaliMommy]

When i vaxed my daughter birth til 3yrs , we never gave meds before a vaccine.

[riverscout]

I generally don't give it at all. I think it's important to let the vaccine do what it needs to do and I don't want Tylenol interfering with it.

That said, my son had a terrible reaction to his DTaP vax at 2 months, and I ended up giving him some Tylenol several hours later in a desperate attempt to make him feel better.

[3pink1blue]

i give motrin after the vax, but only if very clearly needed. that's only been a few times with my oldest DD. if my kids are uncomfortable, we take long baths, lots of skin-to-skin nursing, etc. Other than swelling at the site, we haven't seen any of the short term vax reactions - mild fever, etc.

[hollytheteacher]

My dr. told me point blank she does NOT encourage people to give any tylenol, etc. BEFORE the shot...yes after if they are clearly in pain/ high fever etc. but never before.

She does not agree with pre-medicating (and i don't really either).

[elizawill]

when i used to vax, my doctor gave my kids tylenol before the shot. i never thought twice about it or even considered questioning it.

my son stopped getting vaxes at 5 months though (but at age 4 i did get the dtap for him) & my dd's last vax was when she was 2 1/2. my kids only get medicine like motrin now if their fever is above 102 - still not necessary i know, but that's just how i roll. hth.

[luvmi4]

I do not give my kids tylenol before vaccinations and have never been told to. But I would if they got a fever afterward and they seemed uncomfortable.

[aniT]

Originally Posted by LittleBlessings

I did it before. It was recommened that I do it that way so the medication has kicked in by the time the child has had the vaccination.

Back when I vaxed and believed doctors I did. It was in the information sheet they handed out that we should give tylonal before the next visit for vaxes. You would always see parents in the waiting room trying to get tylonal down their babes.

FWIW, this is the same ped who, when I told him I didn't like to give DD dynatap cause it made her bounce off the walls, told me that I wasn't giving her enough.. I should give it to her until it made her sleepy. He also told me when I took her in for a fever of 103 with tylonal that I hadn't given her enough.. He gave her more and told me I needed to dose her until her fever went down.

Now my kids don't get anything unless their fever is over 104 daytime, or 103 at bedtime.