When choosing a medication that can relieve pain during colds and normalize the temperature of the body, many parents come to a standstill, not knowing what is best for children - Panadol or Nurofen. Both drugs have the same form of release. They can be purchased in the form of a suspension, tablets or rectal suppositories. The composition of both medicines (in particular, syrups) includes a natural sweetener that does not adversely affect tooth enamel and does not contribute to changes in blood glucose levels. So what is better for children - “Panadol” or “Nurofen”? To understand this, it is necessary to study the annotations for both drugs.
"Nurofen": pharmacological action
The active component of the drug is ibuprofen. This is a non-hormonal substance that has powerful anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. In addition, against the background of intake, normalization of body temperature occurs. The maximum effect is achieved in the presence of painful inflammatory sensations.
Ibuprofen, penetrating the body, inhibits the development of the infectious process. This is due to the fact that the active component inhibits the synthesis of substances that increase the severity of inflammation. In addition, according to numerous clinical studies, ibuprofen is directly involved in the production of interferon - a powerful immunomodulator. This fact may be decisive for parents who do not know which is better - the children's Nurofen or Panadol.
It is worth noting that the drug also contains domifen bromide. This is an antiseptic with antifungal effect. It is intended to enhance the overall anti-inflammatory effect.
Action "Panadol"
The active component of the drug is paracetamol. The last one has been considered the safest antipyretic and analgesic for children for several decades, which is especially important for babies suffering from pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract. This is due to the fact that paracetamol does not adversely affect the mucous membranes of the digestive system. In addition, against the background of treatment, water-salt metabolism is not disturbed.
Thus, if a child suffers from diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, the question of which is better - “Nurofen” or “Panadol” disappears.
It is important to consider that lower body temperature and anesthetize both drugs. But only Nurofen has an anti-inflammatory effect.
Contraindications
Like any other drugs, these funds have a number of restrictions on admission. This is extremely important to consider for all those interested in what is more effective for children - “Nurofen” or “Panadol”.
The first in the form of a suspension is contraindicated in the presence of the following diseases and conditions:
- The combination of bronchial asthma and acute polyposis of the nasal passages and nearby sinuses.
- A history of bleeding caused by the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Crohn's disease.
- Gastric and duodenal ulcer.
- Colitis.
- Severe liver failure.
- Pathology of the liver in the acute phase.
- Hyperkalemia
- Decompensated heart failure.
- Recovery period after a recent coronary artery bypass grafting.
- Blood coagulation disorders.
- Diathesis of hemorrhagic nature.
- Individual fructose intolerance.
- Hypersensitivity to the active or auxiliary component.
Nurofen suppositories have the same contraindications, but additionally in the annotation it is indicated that suppositories are not recommended for children with proctitis and for babies weighing less than 6 kg.
"Panadol" is not assigned:
- In severe pathologies of the kidneys and liver.
- Hypersensitivity to paracetamol.
In addition, the drug is contraindicated in newborns.
Thus, at this stage, we can conclude that “Panadol” is better at temperature. Nurofen (or any other ibuprofen-based product) has a greater number of contraindications. However, it is more suitable for stopping the inflammatory process. In other words, initially, parents need to decide on the purpose of taking this or that drug.
Side effects
The annotation to Nurofen indicates that the risk of developing undesirable effects can be minimized if the drug is taken as short as possible. Moreover, the larger the dosage, the higher the risk of side effects.
In isolated cases, against the background of treatment, the following diseases and conditions may develop:
- Hematopoietic system disorders, manifested by bruising of an unknown nature.
- Dyspnea.
- Bronchospasm.
- Skin reactions (rashes, itching, burning, etc.).
- Allergic rhinitis.
- Severe hypersensitivity reactions (anaphylactic shock, Quincke edema).
- Nausea.
- Pain in the stomach.
- Flatulence.
- Constipation or, conversely, diarrhea.
- Gastritis.
- Ulcerative stomatitis.
- Renal failure.
- Headache.
- Peripheral edema.
- Increased blood pressure.
If any of these conditions occurs, treatment with this drug must be completed and consult a doctor.
Possible side effects of Panadol:
- Nausea, sometimes turning into vomiting.
- Pain in the stomach.
- Hives.
- Itchy skin.
- Quincke's edema.
- Anemia.
So, if we take as a basis an assessment of the risk of side effects, what is better for children - Nurofen or Panadol? The first has an impressive list of possible adverse reactions. "Panadol" in this case wins.
Cost
This factor is very important. In many cases, for people interested in what is best for children - “Panadol” or “Nurofen”, price is the determining criterion. The cost of various forms of release is presented in the table below.
| Release form | Cost |
| Nurofen | Panadol |
| Tablets | 120 rub | 50 rub |
| Suppositories | 110 rub | 70 rub |
| Suspension, 100 ml | 150 rub | 100 rub |
| Suspension, 150 ml | 220 rub | In this volume is not issued |
| Suspension, 200 ml | 280 rub | In this volume is not issued |
Based on the data in the table, we can conclude that Nurofen is a more expensive drug.
Opinions of pediatricians
According to WHO, ibuprofen and drugs based on it are the second choice. Paracetamol has been in the first place for many years.
Parents interested in what is best for children - “Nurofen” or “Panadol”, should know that the first is effective for pains of an inflammatory nature. A paracetamol-based drug is safer and more effective for colds and teething. In both cases, the healing effect lasts an average of 6 hours.
Finally
Both Nurofen and Panadol have antipyretic and analgesic properties. However, to normalize the temperature, doctors advise taking a paracetamol-based product. "Nurofen" is desirable to use in the presence of pain of inflammatory etiology.