Priscription for fever in opd

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OPD fever prescription paracetamol ibuprofen dosage adult standard treatment

Here is a standard OPD Prescription for Fever (Pyrexia) for an adult patient:

OPD Prescription - Fever (Pyrexia)


Patient Assessment First

Before prescribing, assess:
  • Temperature (low-grade: 99-100.4°F / high-grade: >101°F)
  • Duration of fever
  • Associated symptoms (chills, body ache, cough, dysuria, rash, etc.)
  • Red flags: rash, neck stiffness, altered sensorium, bleeding spots

Rx (Standard Adult OPD Prescription)

#DrugDoseRouteFrequencyDurationInstructions
1Tab. Paracetamol 500mg1-2 tabsOralEvery 6-8 hrs (SOS)3-5 daysTake after food. Do not exceed 4g/day
2Tab. Ibuprofen 400mg1 tabOralEvery 8 hrs (if needed)3 daysTake with food. Avoid if GI issues
3Tab. Cetirizine 10mg1 tabOralOnce at night3-5 daysFor associated allergic symptoms / cold
4ORS / Electrolyte1 sachet in 1L waterOral2-3 times/day3-5 daysTo prevent dehydration

Supportive Advice (Non-Pharmacological)

  • Tepid sponging with lukewarm water (not cold) for high-grade fever
  • Plenty of oral fluids (water, coconut water, ORS, juices)
  • Light, nutritious diet - avoid oily/spicy food
  • Rest - avoid physical exertion
  • Wear light, loose-fitting clothing

Specific Fever Causes - Additional Drugs

If a specific cause is suspected, add:
Suspected CauseAdditional Drug
Viral feverSymptomatic only (above Rx is sufficient)
Malaria (endemic area / travel history)Tab. Artemether-Lumefantrine (AL) as per weight-based dosing; refer for blood smear/RDT first
TyphoidTab. Azithromycin 500mg OD x 7 days OR Tab. Cefixime 200mg BD x 14 days
UTI with feverTab. Nitrofurantoin 100mg BD OR Ciprofloxacin 500mg BD x 5-7 days
Bacterial URTITab. Amoxicillin 500mg TDS x 5-7 days (if bacterial confirmed)

Investigations (if fever >3 days or no obvious cause)

  • CBC (look for leucocytosis, thrombocytopenia)
  • Peripheral blood smear (malaria)
  • Widal test (typhoid)
  • Dengue NS1 Ag + IgM/IgG (if dengue suspected)
  • Urine R/M (if UTI suspected)
  • CRP / ESR (if systemic infection suspected)

Red Flags - Refer to Higher Centre / Emergency

  • Fever >104°F (40°C) not responding to antipyretics
  • Febrile seizures
  • Petechial rash / bleeding (suspect dengue hemorrhagic fever)
  • Neck stiffness / photophobia (suspect meningitis)
  • Altered consciousness
  • Hypotension / signs of shock
  • Immunocompromised patient (HIV, chemotherapy, diabetes)
  • Fever persisting >7 days without diagnosis

Key Prescribing Notes

  • Paracetamol is the first-line antipyretic - safe, well-tolerated
  • Avoid aspirin in children/adolescents (risk of Reye's syndrome)
  • Avoid NSAIDs (ibuprofen) in dengue suspected cases - risk of bleeding
  • Do not prescribe antibiotics for uncomplicated viral fever without evidence of bacterial infection
  • Reassess if fever does not subside in 48-72 hours

Disclaimer: This is a general clinical reference. Always tailor the prescription to the individual patient's history, allergies, comorbidities, local drug resistance patterns, and clinical findings. Confirm diagnosis before adding specific antimicrobials.

Cough cold fever

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Here is a complete OPD Prescription for Cough + Cold + Fever (URTI / Viral Fever) for an adult patient:

OPD Prescription - Cough, Cold & Fever (Upper Respiratory Tract Infection)

Probable Diagnosis: Acute Viral URTI / Common Cold with Fever

Rx (Standard Adult Prescription)

#DrugDoseRouteFrequencyDurationInstructions
1Tab. Paracetamol 500mg1-2 tabsOralEvery 6 hrs (SOS)5 daysFor fever & body ache. Max 4g/day
2Tab. Cetirizine 10mg (antihistamine)1 tabOralOnce at night (HS)5 daysFor runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes
3Tab. Phenylephrine 10mg (decongestant) OR Pseudoephedrine 60mg1 tabOralBD (twice daily)3-5 daysFor nasal congestion. Avoid in hypertension
4Syp. / Tab. Dextromethorphan 15mg (cough suppressant)1 tab / 10ml syrupOralTDS3-5 daysFor dry, irritating cough
5Tab. Ambroxol 30mg (mucolytic/expectorant)1 tabOralTDS5 daysFor productive cough with mucus
6Steam Inhalation-Inhalation2-3 times/day5 daysAdd menthol/Vicks if available
Common Combination OTC options available in India:
  • Tab. Sinarest / Coldact / D-Cold Total - contain Paracetamol + Phenylephrine + Chlorphenamine (CPM)
  • Syp. Ascoril / Grilinctus / Benadryl - contain Dextromethorphan or Guaifenesin ± antihistamine

Throat Involvement (Pharyngitis / Sore Throat)

#DrugDoseFrequencyDuration
Tab. Benzydamine gargle1 diluted rinse3-4 times/day5 days
OR Lozenges (Strepsils / Betadine)1 lozengeEvery 3-4 hrs5 days

If Bacterial Superinfection is Suspected

(Purulent nasal/throat discharge, high-grade fever >3 days, toxic appearance)
DrugDoseFrequencyDuration
Tab. Amoxicillin 500mg1 tabTDS5-7 days
OR Tab. Azithromycin 500mg1 tabOD3-5 days
OR Tab. Co-Amoxiclav 625mg (if sinusitis/tonsillitis suspected)1 tabBD5-7 days
Do NOT prescribe antibiotics for uncomplicated viral URTI - antibiotic use is contraindicated in routine common cold (Textbook of Family Medicine, 9e)

Supportive / Non-Pharmacological Advice

  • Warm saline gargles - 1/2 tsp salt in warm water, 3-4 times daily (excellent for sore throat)
  • Steam inhalation with or without menthol, 2-3 times/day
  • Saline nasal drops / spray - for nasal congestion (safe, no rebound)
  • Honey + warm water / ginger tea - soothing for cough
  • Increase oral fluid intake - warm soups, water, herbal teas
  • Rest adequately
  • Avoid cold beverages, ice cream, cold exposure
  • Cover nose and mouth when sneezing/coughing (infection control)

Investigations (Usually Not Needed for Simple URTI)

Order only if:
  • Fever >3-5 days without improvement
  • High-grade fever, toxic appearance
  • Suspected influenza, COVID-19, strep throat, sinusitis
InvestigationPurpose
CBCLeucocytosis (bacterial) vs normal/low (viral)
Throat swab cultureIf strep pharyngitis suspected
Rapid Influenza Antigen / COVID-19 RATIf epidemic season
X-Ray PNS / Chest X-RayIf sinusitis / pneumonia suspected

Red Flags - Refer / Escalate

  • Dyspnoea / breathlessness / SpO2 <94%
  • High fever >104°F not responding to antipyretics
  • Severe throat pain with drooling / stridor (suspect epiglottitis / peritonsillar abscess)
  • Ear pain with discharge (otitis media)
  • Altered sensorium / neck stiffness
  • Symptoms persisting or worsening beyond 7-10 days

Follow-up

  • Review in 3-5 days if no improvement
  • Return immediately if breathlessness or high-grade fever develops

Key Point: The majority of cough-cold-fever presentations in OPD are viral and self-limiting (7-10 days). Treatment is primarily symptomatic. Antibiotics are not indicated unless bacterial infection is confirmed or strongly suspected. - Textbook of Family Medicine, 9e
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