In the article we will consider the use of "Ibuprofen" for children.
In the event that the child is worried about pain or has a high fever, the doctor may prescribe one of the anti-inflammatory non-steroid drugs, for example, Ibuprofen. For the smallest patients, this medication is released in a sweet orange suspension and rectal suppositories, but there is also a tablet form. Next, consider the instructions for use of this drug for children.
The principle of the drug
Ibuprofen is characterized by its ability to inhibit the formation of prostaglandins, therefore this medicine has an analgesic and anti-inflammatory function. In addition, the use of these tablets lowers fever in the presence of fever. These are, perhaps, the main effects of the presented medicine, due to which Ibuprofen is widely in demand in pediatrics.
The composition of "Ibuprofen"
The main ingredient of "Ibuprofen" for children and adults is the component, which is also called, as, in fact, the drug itself, ibuprofen serves as this active substance. Its dosage can be 200 or 400 milligrams in one tablet. Additional components are beeswax along with starch, sucrose, hypromellose, stearic acid and other substances. In the event that the child is allergic to one of these components, this factor should be taken into account.
When can Ibuprofen be prescribed for children?
Indications for use for children
An agent is used for children's treatment as part of complex therapy.
Pediatricians usually prescribe this drug in children in the following cases:
- The appearance of otolaryngological diseases.
- The emergence of various forms of flu.
- The appearance of a sore throat or pharyngitis.
- The development of childhood infectious diseases, which are accompanied by an increase in temperature.
- The occurrence of post-vaccination reactions.
- The appearance of pain in the pathology of the middle ear.
- The occurrence of a toothache in a child.
- The appearance of pain during teething.
- The presence of migraine or headaches.
- The appearance of pain in the muscles and joints.
- The occurrence of injuries of the motor system.
Next, we clarify the main points of using "Ibuprofen" for children, based on the form of release and disease.
Indications for the use of candles
Candles are recommended for small patients aged three months to two years. They are usually prescribed by pediatricians in the following cases:
- The appearance of otolaryngological diseases.
- The post-vaccination period at the time of temperature increase.
- The appearance of a sore throat.
- The development of otitis media in a child.
Ointment application
In this format, Ibuprofen for children is most active in the following cases:
- The appearance of tendon inflammation.
- Getting bruises of non-skeletal tissue.
- The presence of acute lower back pain.
It must be emphasized that Ibuprofen in the form of an ointment is prescribed by a doctor exclusively for children who are already over twelve years old. In a similar pharmacological form, this drug is used exclusively externally.
Ointment is applied to patients on the affected area in the form of a long strip, which should reach ten centimeters. Next, with light efforts, rub it until it is completely absorbed into the skin. The intervals between applications should be at least six hours, and the total period of use is usually from fourteen to twenty days.
Is ibuprofen syrup effective for children?
The use of tablets, syrup and suspension
Pediatricians usually prescribe pills, as well as syrup or Ibuprofen suspensions in the same situations as suppositories, but in this case the list of indications is wider:
- The appearance of toothache.
- The onset of migraine.
- The presence of peripheral nerve damage.
- The development of arthritis with a skid infection.
- The occurrence of inflammation of the synovial membrane of the joint.
In addition, Ibuprofen in tablet format is prescribed for small patients and in many other cases when there is a fever or severe pain.
Contraindications
Ibuprofen in tablet format is not prescribed for children, not only until the age of six, but also in the following situations:
- The presence of diseases of the digestive system, for example, inflammation of the intestine.
- The child is allergic to Ibuprofen and other drugs of this drug group.
- The presence of hemorrhagic diathesis, hemophilia and other problems associated with blood coagulation.
- The child has liver problems.
- In the event that the child has serious kidney disease.
The presence of heart pathologies in a small patient when prescribing "Ibuprofen" requires increased attention from the attending physician.
Methods and doses of the drug
Given that syrup, suspension, tablets and suppositories contain a completely different amount of active substances, their methods of application will also vary.
You should know that in critical situations, raising the child's temperature, candles are always considered the most effective. Given that high temperature can disturb the motility of the digestive system, it must be borne in mind that after Ibuprofen is given to a child in the form of a syrup, he may experience a vomiting process that prevents the active substances from entering the bloodstream. The same reaction can provoke tablets. Candles usually dissolve in the intestines much longer, but at a temperature of 38.5 degrees you should always use this particular form of “Ibuprofen”.
Not a single instruction tells about this nuance, but in critical situations, parents should always know how to help the child before the ambulance arrives. In the event that the temperature is kept within 38 degrees, then in the absence of vomiting, Ibuprofen syrup can be given. A suspension is also suitable in this case.
Taking Ibuprofen tablets
Ibuprofen tablets are recommended for children to eat between meals. As a rule, the medicine is prescribed in doses of 5 to 10 milligrams per kilogram of body weight. Children should take the medicine three times a day. The daily dose should not exceed 20 milligrams per kilogram of total weight. Against the background of juvenile arthritis, up to 40 milligrams are taken. There are the following rules for taking pills:
- For a period of three to six years, take 100 milligrams three times a day. The maximum daily dosage is 300 milligrams.
- For a period of six to nine years, take 100 milligrams four times a day. The maximum daily dosage is 400 milligrams.
- In the period from nine to twelve years, 200 milligrams are taken three times a day. The maximum daily dosage is 600 milligrams.
- At the age of over twelve, take 200 milligrams four times a day. The maximum daily dosage is 800 milligrams.
As an antipyretic medicine, this drug is prescribed for children at a temperature of more than 38.5 degrees, as well as in the presence of febrile seizures, when the indicator is above 37.5. In cases of increasing the temperature to 39 degrees, Ibuprofen is taken at the rate of 10 milligrams per kilogram of body weight. When the temperature is below this value, the dosage will be 5 milligrams per kilogram of weight. It should be emphasized that tablets are prohibited for children under three years of age. This is confirmed by the instructions for use with the Ibuprofen suspension for children.
Suspension
Compared to tablets, suspensions give the expected result much faster. We must not forget that immediately before use, the vial with the suspension must be shaken.
Why is it so important to shake the vial in which the suspension is located? The fact is that syrup is a completely soluble drug, and the suspension may contain insoluble granules that settle to the bottom.
Forgetting to shake the product before giving it to the child, the necessary amount of active components will not get into the child’s body, as a result, the effect of the drug will be significantly reduced.
Instructions for use with "Ibuprofen Akrikhin" for children, this also indicates.
How to apply candles?
The drug in the format of suppositories was created specifically for infants. Suppositories are used rectally, that is, they are administered to the child in the cavity of the rectum. According to the instructions for use, candles are prescribed for children in case of pain and fever, but, nevertheless, they also serve as an excellent antipyretic. “Ibuprofen” in the form of a suppository, unlike syrup, begins to act after twenty minutes.
Ibuprofen suppositories should be stored in the refrigerator. Therefore, before use, it is necessary to remove the candle from the sachet, and then hold it in your hand for some time until the first signs of melting appear and only after that the drug can be administered to the child in the anus.
In the presence of febrile syndrome, a single dose for children is 5 to 10 milligrams per kilogram of weight. The interval of use will be from six to eight hours. The maximum daily dose is 30 milligrams per kilogram of the child’s weight.
Children from three to nine months weighing up to eight kilograms are recommended to use one candle, the dosage of which is 60 milligrams. In this case, an interval of six to eight hours must be observed. For children from nine months to two years old, with a body weight of eight kilograms, doctors recommend a dose equal to 60 milligrams of the drug no more than four times a day.
In order to reduce the heat, Ibuprofen is taken for three days. And in the event that the medicine is used as an anesthetic, then it can be taken no more than five days. Increasing the dosage of the drug is strictly prohibited. In any case, before taking a pediatrician, consultation is required.
According to the instructions for the Ibuprofen suspension, overdose symptoms may occur in children.
Symptoms of an overdose in a child
Increasing the dosage of the drug can cause the following symptoms in a child:
- The appearance of pain in the abdomen.
- The appearance of vomiting.
- Loss of attention.
- The appearance of tinnitus and migraine.
- The development of heart and kidney failure.
In this case, you should immediately stop giving the drug to the child. The affected patient must be given activated charcoal and provoke profuse sweating, or perform gastric lavage. The dosage for children of the ibuprofen syrup and other forms of release should be strictly observed.
Side effects of the drug
As a result of the use of this drug, a child’s body can respond with some adverse reactions:
- The digestive system can respond with abdominal pain, and vomiting, diarrhea, heartburn, and other negative symptoms are also possible.
- Taking this medicine in children sometimes causes headaches along with sleep disturbance, anxiety, tinnitus, increased irritability, dizziness, and hearing problems.
- The medicine may be the cause of skin rash, bronchospasm and other allergic manifestations.
- This medication has a negative effect on the hematopoiesis system, as a result of which anemia can occur along with a decrease in the level of white blood cells.
- In more rare cases, kidney or heart failure may occur.
Drug interaction
What can this drug be combined with? The simultaneous administration of Ibuprofen in the form of tablets at the same time as other antipyretic or analgesic drugs requires a mandatory consultation with a doctor. This medication should not be taken in the case of parallel treatment with antacids, anticoagulants, vasodilators and any other drugs.
Terms of sale and storage of the drug
The tablet form of "Ibuprofen" is referred to as non-prescription drugs, so this medication can be freely bought at any pharmacy. The average cost of 20 tablets, as a rule, is 18 rubles.
Keep this medicine in a dry place at room temperature. It is important that the tablets are protected from moisture, and in addition, they must be hidden from children. The shelf life of the product is three years. Syrup "Ibuprofen" for children according to the instructions stored in the same way.
Drug Analogs
Instead of Ibuprofen, the use of other drugs with the same active ingredient is suitable, for example, Nurofen along with Faspik, Deblock, and so on. But, before replacing Ibuprofen with its analogue, you should consult a pediatrician.
Ibuprofen reviews for children
What do parents think about this drug? About the use of the drug for children on the Internet there are quite a lot of good reviews. Parents call this drug effective and note that it effectively reduces heat and eliminates pain well. Its therapeutic effect begins to occur twenty minutes after administration. The effect lasts an average of up to four hours. So it is said in the instructions for use with Ibuprofen. Syrup for children is well suited.
In this regard, children under eight years of age, mothers and fathers often buy liquid "Ibuprofen." In some reviews, parents report side effects in their children with the use of this medication. For example, abdominal pain and allergies are reported.
According to the stories of parents, older children, starting from ten years old, take tablets of this drug without any problems. It is noted that the size of the tablets is not so big. Children like that their shell is sweet. Parents praise this medicine for its low cost.
We examined the use of Ibuprofen for children.