Dengue Fever Medications: 5 Medicines to Take for Symptoms

Updated in April 2024

​Dengue fever medications that are typically prescribed to relieve symptoms, like fever or nausea, include acetaminophen, loratadine and metoclopromide. 

When taking medications and treating dengue, it is essential to rest and drink plenty of fluids. Symptoms such as severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, or blood in the stool or urine require urgent medical attention, as these may be a sign of hemorrhagic dengue or another complication of this condition.

It is important to emphasize that dengue fever medications should be prescribed by a doctor. You should avoid self-medication as it can cause side effects or worsen the disease process.

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List of medications

​The dengue fever medications that your doctor may prescribe include: 

1. Acetaminophen

Acetaminophen is an analgesic and antipyretic that may be prescribed by your doctor to help reduce fever and relieve headaches or muscle pain. 

This medication can be found in the form of tablets, syrup or drops, and should be used as directed by a doctor.

Acetaminophen should not be used by people with a history of or active liver problems (like liver failure) or alcohol abuse.

2. Metoclopramide

Metoclopramide is an antiemetic that may be recommended by your doctor to relieve nausea and vomiting caused by dengue fever.

This medicine can be found in the form of tablets, drops or oral solution, and should only be used under medical advice. 

Metoclopramide should not be used by children under 1 year of age, by people who have hemorrhage, mechanical obstruction or gastrointestinal perforation, epilepsy, pheochromocytoma, Parkinson's disease or movement disorder.

During pregnancy or breastfeeding, metoclopramide should only be used if indicated by your doctor.

Also recommended: Common Dengue Symptoms: Classic & Hemorrhagic tuasaude.com/en/dengue-symptoms

3. Dimenhydrinate

Dimenhydrinate is another antiemetic that may be indicated for dengue fever, as it helps to relieve nausea and vomiting.

This medicine can be found in pharmacies or drugstores in the form of capsules, tablets or drops, and should be used with a doctor's advice. 

Dimenhydrinate is contraindicated for breastfeeding women, children under 2, and anyone with a known reaction to diphenhydrinate. Use should be closely monitored for patients with a history of BPH, asthma, bladder disease, liver disease, glaucoma or ulcers.

4. Loratadine

Loratadine is an anthistamine that is indicated to relieve intense skin itching caused by dengue fever.

This medication should only be used as directed, and can be found in the form of syrup or tablets.

Loratadine should not be used by children under 2 years of age, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and people who have asthma, kidney or liver failure.

Also recommended: Loratadine: What It’s For, How to Take & Side Effects tuasaude.com/en/loratadine

Other anthistamines that may be recommended by the doctor include desloratadine or hydroxyzine.

5. Oral rehydration salts

Oral rehydration solutions help to replace fluids and minerals that are lost from vomiting. They are taken to prevent dehydration.

Furthermore, homemade saline solutions are also a great option for oral rehydration. Learn more about how to prepare homemade saline solutions and how to take it.

In cases of severe dehydration, the doctor may advise hospitalization for IV fluids.

In addition to the remedies recommended for dengue, there are also vaccines that protect the body against this disease, and are recommended for people who have never had dengue or who have had dengue previously. Find out ARTICLE NOT FOUND

Medication contraindicated for dengue

Some medications are contraindicated for cases of dengue fever as they can worsen the disease. These include:

  • acetylsalicylic acid
  • Ibuprofen
  • Ketoprofen
  • Diclofenac
  • Naproxen
  • Indomethacin
  • Warfarin
  • Dexamethasone.
  • Prednisone or prednisolone

These medications are particularly contraindicated because they can worsen bleeding and promote hemorrhaging.

Can ivermectin help to treat dengue?

Ivermectin is not indicated for dengue, as it is an antiparasitic medication that has not been scientifically proven to combat the dengue virus or reduce its viral load.

Therefore, ivermectin is not indicated for the treatment or prevention of dengue.

Home remedies for dengue

In addition to pharmacy medicines, teas that alleviate dengue symptoms can also be used, such as:

  • Headache: peppermint, petasites
  • Nausea and nausea: chamomile and peppermint
  • Muscle pain: St. John's wort

Some teas can increase the risk for bleeding and hemorrhages, however, and should be completely avoided. These includes teas made with ginger, garlic, willow, weeping, wicker, wicker, parsley, rosemary, oregano, thyme and mustard.

Read more about foods for dengue that you can add to your diet to help speed up recovery.