QuestionMy son was diagnosed with pneumonia today, after two days of high fever
(104, under the arm up to 105 rectal), vomiting, lethargy, etc.
The dr wasn't sure if it's viral or bacterial so has prescribed amoxicillin for ten
days.
I also have given him 4 doses of ibuprofen and 3 doses of Tylenol over the
last 3 days. The tylenol was not bringing the fever down but the ibuprofen
worked really well.
My concerns:
Drug reaction: My son has never had amoxicillin or ibuprofen before. The
insert showed all kinds of possible reactions including SJS, for both meds. Is it
dangerous for him to take both? Should I stop the ibuprofen?
If he were to have a drug reaction to either drug, when would it be?
If the pneumonia is viral, what is the point of the antibiotic? Shouldn't they
check first and see what is causing the pneumonia?
These are all questions I had after the doctor visit and I won't be able to reach
him until tomorrow.
Answerthe way to check for the bug causing pneumonia (if you aren't coughing up a lot of phlegm) is a needle biopsy or bronchoscopy.... this isn't done unless there is no response to treatment.
Each medicine is very safe with a very very low risk of SJS.... both doesn't increase the risk. Those meds have a lot lower risk than others. My big worry would be repeated doses of ibuprofen causing gastritis/stomach pain/stomach bleeding. Most people tolerate it fine, occasionally some people develop problems with it.
