One dose of acetaminophen (follow directions for age and weight on the bottle, and do not administer more than five times in one day) will typically last for four to six hours. Aspirin

Aspirin is classified into the family of drugs called NSAIDs or Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory drugs. These painkillers halt the synthesis of prostaglandins (inflammatory substances) by working at the site of the pain, counteracting chemicals that promote pain transmission.

Aspirin is used for relieving pain, swelling and fever in adults. It also relieves mild itching and is great for treating arthritis and other conditions.

Twenty years ago, orange-flavored chewable baby aspirins were a common way to treat childhood ailments. But times have changed. Aspirin, in recent years, has been linked to a rare but serious brain and liver disorder called Reye’s syndrome in children and teenagers. For this reason, doctors recommend using other analgesics for infants, children and teenagers.

In addition to stomach irritation, aspirin is dangerous for people who have allergies to it, are taking blood-thinners, or have gout or ulcers. People with asthma or hearing loss may also have problems taking it. Ibuprofen

Ibuprofen, the newest analgesic on the market, is part of the NSAIDs family of drugs. The brand names include both Children’s Motrin and Children’s Advil. This drug has been available for children since 1989—first as a prescription drug and then, since 1996, as an over-the-counter medication.