Study finds common pain relievers safe for infants

For parents, managing an infant's fever or pain can be a source of significant anxiety, especially when deciding which medication is safe to use.

Researchers compared the safety profiles of acetaminophen and ibuprofen during the first year of life, and the results are clear: both medications are equally safe for infants.

However, this large-scale, randomized controlled trial found no evidence of such risks.

Lead researcher Professor Stuart Dalziel noted that the findings give parents and healthcare providers high confidence in using these medications when necessary.

While these results are a major milestone, the study is ongoing.

Researchers will continue tracking these children until age six to monitor long-term outcomes, including asthma and neurodevelopmental health, ensuring that the guidance for families remains based on the best possible evidence.