Many parents right now are struggling to find pain and fever medicine for their children amidst a recent shortage. This article will help you understand how to navigate the recent shortage and who you can look to for children’s pain and fever meds right now.

Why Is There a Children’s Pain and Fever Medicine Shortage?

Before diving into how to navigate the shortage, it’s important to understand why there is a pediatric pain and fever medicine shortage in the first place.

In recent weeks, it has become increasingly difficult for parents and caregivers to find medicines such as liquid acetaminophen and tablets for their children. This type of medicine can help treat pain and fever symptoms for kids with the flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and COVID-19.

Canada was the first country to be hit by the shortage and, as a result, the Canadian government began to import large supplies of ibuprofen and acetaminophen from foreign suppliers, as reported by many sources from the Canadian press. The United States is now experiencing the same shortages.

Part of the reason that both countries are struggling to find a supply of children’s pain and fever medicine is that there was a shocking increase in viral infections this winter, especially among children.

Between RSV, flu, other forms of respiratory infection, and coronavirus, an increased volume of children are experiencing intense illnesses at home in what some healthcare providers are calling a “tripledemic.” With these conditions presenting with similar symptoms and pain points, the same OTC pediatric formulas are used to help bring relief.

Although there is normally an increase in demand for pain and fever medicine during winter, this year is seeing an increase that many pharmaceutical companies cannot keep up with. Even many generic over-the-counter drug companies lack the capacity to boost production quickly, which is why many people are struggling to find medicine now.

It is difficult to predict exactly when this supply chain issue will be resolved. The shortage of over-the-counter options has even caused some parents to ask their pediatricians for prescription versions of common fever-reducing medicines.

Why Are So Many Kids Sick With Viruses Right Now?

There is not one, clear reason why such an unprecedented number of children are sick right now, however, there are a few potential explanations.

First, most children normally get RSV before or around the age of two. With all of the coronavirus precautions that have been in place in the past few years during the pandemic, it is likely that more children than normal were exposed to the virus this year now that precautions have lessened.

Additionally, the RSV season began earlier this year than normal. Where the virus usually peaks in January or February, it seems to have come in late fall and early winter this year. There is also an increase in flu cases this year, a dramatic shift from the past few years which have seen relatively mild flu seasons.

How Can Genexa Help During the Medicine Shortage?

While many pharmaceutical companies are struggling to meet the current demand for pain medicine, there is presently at least one company rising to the occasion.

Genexa makes Infants’ and Kids’ Pain & Fever medicines with the same active ingredients as leading over-the-counter brands — 160 mg acetaminophen per 5 mL, just like Children's Tylenol® Oral Suspension.

The main aspect that separates Genexa’s formulas from others is that Genexa never uses artificial dyes, artificial sweeteners, artificial preservatives, or artificial fillers. Genexa’s products are not reliant on the same artificially-derived inactive ingredients that most traditional brands use.

Genexa is currently not experiencing the same shortages as other big-name brands. In fact, Genexa is currently ramping up its production of children’s medicines to meet current demands. They are dedicated to giving parents and pediatricians reliable medicine that has the same effective active ingredient kids need, without any of the artificial inactive ingredients they don’t.

What Is Clean Medicine?

The philosophy behind Genexa’s products is clean medicine.

Clean medicine refers to medicine made with all of the active ingredients that you need, but without the artificial inactive ingredients you don’t.

In the case of children’s pain and fever medicine, the active ingredient is usually acetaminophen.

Some of the inactive ingredients that you’ll see in competitors and never find in Genexa’s products include aspartame, titanium dioxide, artificial food coloring, high fructose corn syrup, parabens, and sodium benzoate.

What Genexa Products Are Available For My Child With a Viral Infection?

Luckily, Genexa has a wide range of products available for infants and children who are struggling to fight off pain and fever symptoms from a viral infection. This section will provide a look at all of the different options parents can consider to help their little ones through this tripledemic.

If your infant is experiencing a fever, Infants’ Pain & Fever is available from Genexa. This oral suspension children’s fever medicine contains 160 mg of acetaminophen in every 5 mL of medicine. It temporarily reduces fever and provides temporary relief from aches and pain due to the common cold and flu, such as a sore throat, toothache, and headache. It is suitable for children ages 2-3, and if you want to give it to a child under 2 years, talk with your doctor first.

Genexa also offers Kids’ Pain and Fever, which can provide the same relief as the above formula, but for children aged 2-11 between 25 and 95 lbs. This oral suspension also uses acetaminophen as the active ingredient, with its inactive ingredients including organic agave syrup, organic blueberry flavor, natural citrus extract, natural flavor, and purified water.

For kids who can’t take or don’t prefer oral suspensions, you can try Genexa’s Acetaminophen Chewables. These children’s chewable tablets are grape-flavored and, unlike many name-brand competitors, do not contain crospovidone, D&C red no. 7 calcium lake, D&C red no. 30 aluminum lake, or sucralose.

Much like their oral suspension equivalent, these chewables can temporarily relieve minor aches and pain for children ages two to eleven, as well as temporarily reduce fever. Each tablet contains 80 mg of acetaminophen, and how many tablets you should give your child depends on their weight and age.

Where To Find Children’s Pain and Fever-Reducing Medicine

If you think Genexa’s medicine is right for your child during this short supply of children’s acetaminophen, there are several ways that you can access Genexa products.

First, you can order online directly from Genexa’s website — you can access all of Genexa’s Kids & Infants formulas here.You can also pick up Genexa from a retail partner such as Walmart, or use the Find a Store feature to locate the Genexa products nearest to you in a drugstore or pharmacy.

More Tips For Navigating The Children’s Pain and Fever Medicine Shortage

This is undoubtedly a stressful time to be a parent, especially if your first time at home with sick kids is during an unprecedented medicine shortage. In the following points, we’ll outline some helpful tips that you can use to get you and your child through this pain and fever medicine shortage.

• Don’t be afraid to use chewable tablets. Although younger children may be apprehensive about trying a new type of medicine, try to urge them to consider taking chewable tablets, made for children, if there is no liquid medicine available.
• Stay away from multi-symptom cold and flu medicine, even if there is no acetaminophen in stock at the store. Given that these medicines often contain many active ingredients, it can be difficult to ensure that all of them are suitable for children if they are not specifically marketed toward children. It may also be advisable to avoid medicines with aspirin.
• Embrace natural remedies alongside over-the-counter medicine. Genexa offers a range of homeopathic remedies that you can pair with medicine to help your little one feel better.
• If they are fighting off a cold, you can try Kids’ Cold Crush, and if they are struggling with a cough, you can give them Kids’ Honey Cough Syrup.
• For children who cannot sleep comfortably due to congestion, you can try Kids’ Sleepology, a non-habit-forming and melatonin-free sleep aid that can help your little one wake up feeling refreshed.
• Remember to keep your child hydrated, especially if they have a fever. Although your child may put up a fight, try to keep them as hydrated as possible to give their body the best possible chance of bringing down the fever on their own.
  

Conclusion

Due to a combination of factors that have led to an increase in sick children this winter, it has become increasingly difficult to find over-the-counter pain and fever-reducing medicine for children.

Given that Genexa’s unique clean medicine formulas, many parents, pediatricians, and pharmacists are turning to Genexa for children’s and infant’s pain and fever reducers.

Genexa is a company dedicated to providing safe, clean medicine for everyone — Genexa medicines contain the active ingredients you need and none of the artificial inactive ingredients that you don’t.

Explore more Genexa here, or head here to get straight to our Kids & Infants formulas.

Sources:

The impact of influenza infection on young children, their family and the health care system | NIH

RSV, Flu, and COVID-19: Understanding Today’s ‘Tripledemic’ | SPH

Aspirin use in children: heeding the warning? | NIH

Kids’ drug shortages ‘are pulling back the curtain on years-long ugly scenario’ - Northwestern Now

Can’t Find Kids’ Tylenol or Motrin Right Now? Here’s Why and What to Do About It – NBC10 Philadelphia