We will figure out what is best for children, "Ibuprofen" or "Nurofen." Today, pharmacies have a huge selection of all kinds of painkillers, which is sometimes very difficult for people to decide what is best to buy for treatment. It is particularly difficult to make a choice when it comes to treating a child. I must say that at present, two modern medical medicines, which are Ibuprofen and Nurofen, are in quite great demand among all consumers. It should be noted that they are the same in composition and have similar indications for use. But nevertheless, what is better for children "Ibuprofen" or "Nurofen"?
Brief characteristics of drugs
Presented pharmaceuticals are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that can effectively relieve pain and also reduce temperature. It is worth noting that they affect the child's body in exactly the same way, providing a similar anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic effect.
The composition of "Ibuprofen" and "Nurofen" includes the same active substance - ibuprofen. Such a component can be quickly absorbed by tissues, and therefore in the blood it is observed already an hour after administration. It can be partially eliminated from the body in just a few hours. But for complete cleansing, it will take at least a day.
Due to the fact that the presented medications can have the same effect, the question still often arises for consumers about what is best for children: Ibuprofen or Nurofen? In order to answer this question, you first need to understand in detail what they contain.
Comparison of Medicinal Formulations
What is best for children: Ibuprofen or Nurofen, it is important to find out in advance. As already noted in the description, the main component of the drugs under consideration is the substance ibuprofen. Due to its content, both drugs can produce a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory effect, providing a comprehensive antipyretic, analgesic, as well as anti-inflammatory effect.
Due to the fact that both drugs contain the same active ingredient, they have a similar list of indications for use, they cause the same side effects and have similar contraindications. This also means that consumers can choose the medicine that suits them best, and if the child has an allergy to certain auxiliary components, you can always replace it with another. Next, we will examine in which cases it is advisable to assign Ibuprofen and Nurofen to children. The difference in these funds is still there.
What are the indications for prescribing to children?
As part of their practice, pediatricians prescribe these medicines to children in a number of the following cases:
- If the child has an acute respiratory viral infection.
- In case of flu.
- Against the background of the reaction after vaccinating children.
- When pain due to teething.
- In the presence of a headache.
- For pain as a result of injuries.
Now we find out whether to expect from the use of these drugs any undesirable manifestations.
Adverse Reactions from Use
So, we continue to choose: “Ibuprofen” or “Nurofen”? These drugs can be detrimental to the child's body, and therefore they must be taken with an exceptionally short course and at the lowest dosage in order to reduce the number of side effects. For example, due to the influence of the active component of these drugs in small patients, the following undesirable symptoms on the part of the blood are possible: a decrease in hemoglobin along with thrombocytopenia (increased bleeding) and leukopenia (decreased leukocyte concentration).
The immune system can respond to allergic reactions in the child in the form of anaphylactic shock, nonspecific skin rashes (hives along with itching and Lyell's syndrome), swelling of the face, tongue, larynx and so on. In addition, nausea in combination with vomiting, sometimes ulcerative formations in the digestive system and impaired liver function is very likely. Now we find out in which cases it is better to refuse to take these funds.
Contraindications
Among the prohibitions on the use of Ibuprofen and Nurofen for the treatment of children, the instructions highlight allergies and hypersensitivity to the ingredients of drugs. But it should be emphasized that Ibuprofen, in contrast to Nurofen, is much more likely to cause allergies. Some parents, transferring children from Ibuprofen to its analogue, note the complete absence of the above reactions after replacement. But, nevertheless, “Nurofen” also can not be called absolutely safe. And he and the second remedy are characterized by the following contraindications:
- The child has a stomach or intestinal ulcer.
- Failure of blood coagulation processes.
- The presence of severe heart failure.
- Other conditions and diseases not involving exposure to these pharmaceuticals.
So what is the difference between Ibuprofen and Nurofen?
Price Comparison
It is worth noting that the cost of these medicines is slightly different. For example, for "Nurofen" in a suspension with a dosage of 100 milligrams, you need to pay about one hundred ninety to two hundred rubles. As for Ibuprofen, it is more affordable for the wallet, and you need to pay about a hundred and twenty rubles to the pharmacy for it.
What is still better to choose?
What is the difference between Ibuprofen and Nurofen for children, we explained. As already reported, choosing between the two drugs described, it is necessary to understand that they contain the same substance, which means that they have absolutely identical effects. For example, both temperature decreases, pain is eliminated, swelling is relieved. Against the background of all this, Nurofen and its analogue can be used from an early age in children without fear of causing serious adverse reactions.
True, unlike Ibuprofen, which is available only in the form of a suspension, its analogue Nurofen is distinguished by many dosage forms and can be bought in the form of suppositories, capsules and tablets. Thus, choosing this drug, parents can choose the most convenient option for their child in dosage and dosage format.
I must say that in relation to children, Nurofen, exactly like Ibuprofen, is used mainly to lower the temperature. For these purposes, syrup or candles can be used. Of course, most moms and dads prefer to use syrup. Speaking of candles for young patients, it should be noted that their introduction to crumbs causes serious discomfort compared with the internal use of a liquid form. True, at a very young age, the use of a syrup for a medicine in the form of a syrup excludes its use, since children have not yet learned to swallow. It is during this period that candles are best suited.
As for the popular question of what will be better for a child, “Ibuprofen” or “Nurofen,” I must say that the doctor will give the most competent answer, because much depends on the individual characteristics of each baby. In this regard, “Nurofen” is more suitable for some children because of their age and the presence of any deviations in health, and “Ibuprofen” will be another best drug of choice.
In the event that the drug does not properly reduce the temperature, acts too slowly, or even causes many side effects, it is better to refuse it, of course, replacing it with an analog. In general, both of the considered products have the same effect, so they can be used with absolutely equal popularity.
If you couldn’t choose what is best for the child: Ibuprofen or Nurofen, you can use the analogue.
Analogs
In the event that, for certain circumstances, both of these medicines are not suitable for the child, you should not despair, since today there are many analogues in the pharmaceutical market. One of the recommended and popular remedies is a medicine called MaxiCold. For children, it is available as a suspension. This medicine has a small cost, which is one hundred and sixty rubles.
The well-known Paracetamol can also replace Nurofen and Ibuprofen. Its price is even lower and equals only seventy rubles. Attention should be paid to Paracetamol-Altpharm, which is sold in the form of rectal suppositories, which cost fifty rubles. Next, we will get acquainted with the opinions of pediatricians and find out what they think about these medicines, and which of them, in their opinion, is better for children.
Doctors reviews
As for the experts, they in the comments claim that the main difference between Nurofen and Ibuprofen is the number of clinical trials. The fact is that the first drug acts as a patented medication, while its counterpart, “Ibuprofen,” is just an ordinary substitute, within the framework of which production technology can be changed, and at the same time there are no thorough medical tests.
But, nevertheless, even despite this fact, doctors still trust the cheaper Ibuprofen, considering it no less effective. According to doctors, this drug can also be given to children without concern, if indicated.
Doctors also admit that often, when appointing patients, they prefer “Nurofen” only because it has many forms of release (syrup, tablets, drops), which are convenient to choose depending on the age of the child. Recall that "Ibuprofen" is presented only in tablets.
We examined what is best for children: Ibuprofen or Nurofen.