Ibuprofen, an anti-inflammatory drug that was discovered more than forty years ago, is now effectively used to relieve pain and relieve fever in patients. The principle of action of the drug is similar to paracetamol. In this article, we will explain whether it is possible to prescribe ibuprofen to children, at what age and at what dosages.
Indications for ibuprofen
Ibuprofen is recommended by specialists with fever or the presence of pain syndrome in both adults and children, including infants. To diseases, during which the intake of ibuprofen has an effective effect, include:
- pain syndromes after operations;
- migraine;
- acute forms of diseases of the ears and throat;
- fever, etc.
The effectiveness of removing pain in the above cases when ibuprofen is used is similar to that of paracetamol.
Ibuprofen is no less effective in reducing elevated body temperature. By the speed of action and its duration, the drug is more effective than paracetamol. At the child after reception of ibuprofen decrease in temperature is observed already after 15 minutes. The positive effect persists for eight hours.
There is an opinion that paracetamol is safer in use than ibuprofen, since the latter can provoke the development of asthma and affect the gastrointestinal tract with a variety of side effects. Boston University experts in clinical trials have shown that the risk of developing asthma and disorders in the work of the gastrointestinal tract in ibuprofen and paracetamol is practically the same. To prevent the occurrence of side effects, you should carefully study the instructions to the drug and take into account the child's tolerability of the substances that make up the drug.
By the degree of toxicity, in case of an overdose, ibuprofen shows better results than paracetamol, due to the absence of toxic metabolites.
Forms of ibuprofen
Ibuprofen is available in the form of:
- tablets;
- suspensions or syrups;
- candles;
- ointments.
Ibuprofen in tablets is recommended for children ages six and older. Drug is taken three times a day. Dosage depends on the type of disease and the observed temperature, it is determined by the attending physician. The maximum norm is 1 mg of drug per day.
For children aged 3 months, ibuprofen is available as a suspension or syrup. The drug is taken 3-4 times a day. The dosage of ibuprofen for children is determined by the doctor.
Candles with active ingredient ibuprofen are recommended for children aged from 3 months to 2 years. It is good to use it if the child has high fever accompanied by vomiting. By the degree of effectiveness, candles are similar to other forms of release of the drug. In pharmacies most often there are candles "Nurofen" based on ibuprofen. Due to the rectal type of application, the active substances of the drug do not enter the baby's stomach, but there are contraindications:
- inflammation of the intestine;
- bleeding of the gastrointestinal tract;
- peptic ulcer;
- individual intolerance to ibuprofen;
- bronchial asthma, etc.
Candles, suspensions and tablets are not recommended for more than five consecutive days to avoid side effects.
Ointment ibuprofen is used exclusively externally. It is designed to eliminate pain in muscles and joints during stretching and disease. The ointment is applied to the skin and rubbed in a circular motion. The duration of the ibuprofen ointment is two weeks.