Many childhood diseases are accompanied by inflammatory processes. Their symptom may be fever, swollen lymph nodes, pain and swelling. In this case, doctors often prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs to children. They will help reduce pain and alleviate the condition of the baby. But these drugs only relieve the symptoms of inflammation, so for serious diseases they need to be used as part of complex therapy. And in any case, you can not give anti-inflammatory drugs to children without a doctor's prescription.
general characteristics
Inflammation is a pathological process that occurs under the influence of various factors. Most often, bacteria or viruses that enter the body provoke it. But inflammation can also occur after trauma, damage to the skin or other pathologies. At the same time, special substances begin to form in the cells - histamines and prostaglandins. These are the so-called inflammatory mediators. They are needed to attract immune cells to the site of exposure to negative factors. They also prevent viruses or bacteria from spreading throughout the body. But it is these substances that provoke the development of the inflammatory process. They contribute to a rush of blood to the damaged area and increase the number of immune cells. As a result, the following symptoms appear:
- temperature rise;
- swelling, redness of the skin;
- discharge of pus, and if the respiratory tract is affected - a large amount of mucus;
- swollen lymph nodes;
- soreness.
It is with the aim of relieving these symptoms that anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed to children. They are able to inhibit the activity of prostaglandins, as a result of which edema, pain and temperature are reduced. The choice of the right medicine depends on the severity of the pathology, the age of the patient, the site of inflammation, and the cause that caused it. Anti-inflammatory drugs are used for infectious and chronic diseases.
Classification of such drugs
There are several groups of drugs that are anti-inflammatory. For children, non-steroid drugs, that is, non-hormonal, as well as corticosteroid hormones, are most suitable. After all, not all medicines can be used by babies, they often cause side effects and may not help, but only worsen the condition.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are considered the safest medicines, therefore, they are often prescribed for children. Their anti-inflammatory effect is not very high, but they well relieve pain and fever in the most common childhood diseases. This group includes such popular drugs as Ibuprofen, Paracetamol, Nimesulide and others. Most of them are non-selective agents, as they act systemically on the body. Selective drugs act selectively on the inflamed part of the body, so they are most often used after injuries or in diseases of the joints.
Corticosteroid anti-inflammatory drugs are given to children much less often, since they can be addictive and serious side effects. These are hormonal drugs based on cortisone. They quickly relieve inflammation, so they can be used in emergency cases. But they are mainly used in a hospital.
In serious diseases, sometimes the so-called "basic" remedies are prescribed. They act slowly, so they are used as part of complex therapy. Such drugs include Hingamin, which is used for malaria and other similar infections, as well as Kuprenil, effective in rheumatoid arthritis.
Release Forms
Adults are more likely to use such drugs in the form of tablets or capsules. But not always a child can swallow a pill. They are prescribed from the age of 5-6 years, and capsules - not earlier than 12 years. Therefore, the most popular anti-inflammatory syrups for children. They can consist entirely of non-steroidal substances or have a complex composition. It is more convenient to give syrups to children, as they have a sweet taste, they can be mixed with juice or tea. Preparations in this form can be given to babies from the first year of life.
Rectal suppositories containing anti-inflammatory components are safe for children. They well reduce temperature and pain, but less likely to have side effects. They can be used at any age as prescribed by a doctor. Anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of a suspension are also convenient for babies. Such preparations have a pleasant taste, like syrups. They can be added to juice or food.
To relieve local inflammation for children, ointments and gels containing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory or hormonal substances are also used. And for the treatment of diseases of the eyes, ears or nose, drops can be used. In this form, these substances are less toxic and less likely to have side effects.
Indications for use
Most often, it is recommended to give anti-inflammatory children with a cold. They effectively help to cope with fever, sore throat. But before visiting a doctor, you can give the child once, for example, "Paracetamol". He is the safest of these means. Longer use is possible only according to the doctor’s testimony. Moreover, in order to prescribe the necessary treatment, it is necessary to make a diagnosis. And against the background of the use of anti-inflammatory drugs, this can be difficult.
Doctors prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs for children with such pathologies:
- SARS, flu, colds;
- inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract: tonsillitis, laryngitis, tracheitis, bronchitis;
- with otitis media, sinusitis, conjunctivitis;
- pneumonia
- damage to the kidneys or bladder;
- after injuries leading to local inflammatory processes;
- with inflammation of the joints.
Contraindications and side effects
Anti-inflammatory drugs should not be prescribed to children who have diseases of the stomach or intestines. In the presence of an allergic reaction, such treatment is also contraindicated. With great care, anti-inflammatory drugs are used for liver and kidney pathologies. Many of them are contraindicated in children of a certain age.
All anti-inflammatory drugs have negative side effects, so only the safest ones are chosen for children. The most harmless of them are digestive problems. Such reactions can cause any NSAIDs. This is nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain. In addition, allergic reactions also often occur, which are caused by individual intolerance to the active ingredients of the drug. It can be itching, redness of the skin, rash, lacrimation, rhinitis and even bronchospasm. When such reactions appear, the drug should be discontinued.
In addition, other side effects may occur:
- dizziness;
- difficulty breathing
- hearing and vision impairment;
- internal bleeding;
- mental disorders.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
This group of anti-inflammatory drugs is the most popular in pediatrics. There are a lot of drugs in it, most of them are relatively safe, so they can be prescribed for children. But still, it is necessary to use such funds as prescribed by the doctor. There are several drugs that pediatricians choose most often, even for treating babies in their first year of life.
- Ibuprofen is considered the safest of them. Its action has been carefully studied; it rarely causes side effects. You can buy this tool in the form of tablets, syrup or suspension. Ointments are often used. This drug is also known as Nurofen.
- Another safe and therefore popular anti-inflammatory drug for children is Paracetamol. It is available in tablets, syrup and suppositories, and is also part of many anti-colds or cough medicines. This tool is the active substance of the drugs "Panadol", "Kalpol", "Efferalgan".
- Nise has a stronger analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect. According to the instructions, it is recommended to use it for children only after 12 years, but doctors often prescribe it at a younger age. Only for children who weigh less than 40 kg, the dosage should be calculated individually.
- In more serious diseases, for example, with rheumatoid arthritis, Sulindak is prescribed for children over 2 years old. This is a fairly powerful drug, therefore, it is used only under the supervision of a doctor.
It is not recommended to give children drugs based on aspirin and meloxicam.
Steroid hormones
The main active ingredient of these drugs is identical to hormones secreted by the adrenal glands during stress. Such drugs can reduce inflammation and pain, so they quickly improve the condition of the child. But corticosteroids often cause side effects, so it is necessary to strictly observe the recommended dosage and duration of treatment. Such drugs have a quick effect, so they are used in emergency cases when other drugs do not help. But due to their high toxicity and ability to be addictive, they are forbidden to be used alone at home.
Systemic corticosteroids are indicated only in emergency cases, most often in the form of injections. Apply "Prednisolone", "Hydrocortisone", "Kenalog", "Metipred". In the form of inhalations or ointments, such agents are safer, therefore, are prescribed more often. This can be inhalation with Beclomethasone, Pulmicort, or Diprospan. Ointments “Lorinden", "Mometasone", "Advantan" are also used for children.
Anti-inflammatory ointments
Such drugs for external use are safer for children. They are used for various skin diseases, after injuries, and inflammation of the joints. Most often, in such cases, anti-inflammatory ointments on a plant basis are prescribed to children. These are drugs "Traumeel", "Arnica", Vishnevsky ointment. With colds, ointments "Doctor Mom", "Oxolinic", "Vitaon" are effective.
External preparations based on NSAIDs are used less frequently. Only ointment "Ibuprofen" is safe . The rest can be applied no earlier than six years. In case of severe inflammation or joint disease, hormones are also prescribed: "Hydrocortisone" or "Prednisolone" ointment, "Advantan" or "Elokom".
Anti-inflammatory drops for children
For some pathologies, it is necessary to use drugs to relieve inflammation in the form of drops. They are dripped into the eyes, ears or nose. Use such funds can only be prescribed by a doctor. They have a different composition and therefore are effective in certain pathologies.
- "Albucid" - eye drops used for infectious diseases.
- "Phloxal" based on an antibiotic can be dripped into the eyes of children from birth.
- "Protargol" - nose drops that can be used for children from birth. The drug has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effects.
- "Polydex" is a complex preparation containing an antibiotic and a hormonal agent. It is used for infectious diseases.
- Otipax - ear drops with anti-inflammatory effect. Often used for otitis media in children.
Anti-inflammatory drugs for colds for children
For colds and viral diseases, simple type analgesics are most often used. These are preparations based on Aspirin and Paracetamol. Doctors often prescribe anti-inflammatory cough in children. Such treatment is necessary not only for pneumonia or bronchitis, but also in the case of a common cold. Anti-inflammation ingredients help prevent complications and speed recovery.
The most common anti-inflammatory cough syrups in children are:
- "Herbion" is a herbal preparation that improves sputum discharge.
- Omnitus - relieves inflammation and blocks the cough reflex.
- "ATSTS" enhances local immunity, dilutes sputum.
- "Ambroxol" reduces inflammation in the bronchi and lungs.
- Fluditec relieves inflammation in the airways.
- Bronchipret has anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic effects.
Application features
You can use any medications to treat children only as directed by a doctor. It is not recommended to combine several anti-inflammatory drugs with complex treatment, as this will not improve the result, but can lead to an overdose. Therefore, if in 2-3 days the use of some means of improvement does not occur, the doctor cancels it and prescribes another. Drugs based on glucocorticoids can be used only as directed by a doctor. Therefore, in the pharmacy they are sold according to prescriptions.
When treating children, it is very important to strictly observe the dosage recommended by the doctor. To dispense syrups and suspensions in the package there is always a measuring spoon or a special syringe. Tablets or capsules should be washed down with plenty of water. The ointment is applied in a thin layer, as many times as the doctor prescribed.