The most commonly prescribed medications for children are antipyretics. Most of them are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These tools can not only lower the temperature. They have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Today's article will introduce you to Nurofen. The dosage for children of different ages and the method of using the medication will be described for you.
Varieties of the drug "Nurofen"
The manufacturer of the drug is Reckitt Benkizer. The company is located in the UK. Therefore, on all packs there is a foreign name for the drug. In pharmacy chains, you can find several types of medicine. All of them differ in the form of release. So, what is the drug "Nurofen"?
- In tablets for children aged 6 years or more.
- In the form of suppositories intended for use from 3 months to 2 years.
- In syrup or suspension for children from birth to 6 years (and more).
- Tablets "Nurofen Express NEO" (allowed from 12 years old).
- "Nurofen" for women "Express Lady".
- Capsules with liquid composition "Nurofen Ultracap" (acceptable for use from 12 years old).
- "Nurofen Forte" with a double dose.
- Tablets for the treatment of migraine "Multisymptom".
- Means "Nurofen" in the form of a gel for external use with a concentration of 5%.
What does the instruction for use say about Nurofen preparations? For children, you can not use all of the above medicines. It all depends on the age of the child and the available symptoms. Consider in detail how the drug "Nurofen" (in tablets) is used for children.
Description of the medicine for children
What is the composition of Nurofen? The tablets contain 200 mg of the active substance (ibuprofen). There are also additional components in the preparation: croquerellose sodium cellulose, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium citrate, stearic acid, colloidal silicon dioxide, talc, titanium dioxide, copper, sucrose, black ink and so on.
"Nurofen" is produced in tablets for children, 8 pieces per pack. The average cost of such a tool does not exceed 150 rubles. Each tablet is coated for ease of use.
Indications for the appointment of NSAIDs
When does Nurofen recommend taking the instructions for use? For children, this medicine is used both on the recommendation of a doctor, and without it. The medicine is often available from parents in the medicine cabinet. After all, the well-being of the child may worsen at any time. The following situations are considered real indications for the use of the drug:
- fever of a different nature and cause;
- pain syndrome (toothache, headache, muscle pain);
- migraine and neuralgia;
- otitis and tonsillitis, as well as other diseases of the ENT organs.
The drug is often used in combination with other drugs as symptomatic therapy. The drug is prescribed for inflammatory diseases.
Important information about children's medicine: contraindications
As you already know, the medicine “Nurofen” (in tablets) is recommended for children from only 6 years old. For young children, the drug is prescribed in the form of a suspension. For children under three years old, it will be preferable and more convenient to use candles. But not only age can be the reason for giving up this medicine. What other contraindications does the drug “Nurofen" have?
The instruction for use of the tablet (200 mg) prohibits taking in the presence of high sensitivity to the active substance or additional components. If the child has intolerance to acetylsalicylic acid, then it is also worth abandoning the use of the medication. It is forbidden to use the remedy for children with heart failure, high blood pressure, diseases of the optic nerve. Children's tablets are not prescribed for certain diseases of the circulatory system, hearing impairment, severe pathologies of the vestibular apparatus. If the child has ulcerative lesions of the gastrointestinal tract or progressive bleeding in this area, then it is strictly forbidden to take this medication.
Additional restrictions
Describes other restrictions in the use of the drug "Nurofen" instructions for use. 200 mg tablets should be taken very carefully and only after prior consultation with a doctor in the following situations:
- renal and liver failure;
- coronary disease and diabetes;
- if the child has an allergy, the correction of which is carried out by oral corticosteroids;
- diseases of the stomach and intestines of a different nature and severity.
The annotation also states that under the supervision of adults, medication should be given to children under the age of 12 years.
Nurofen: dosage for young children
At the reception of the child, one tablet is indicated. The frequency of use of the medication should not exceed 4 times a day. The interval between the use of the drug is 6 hours or more. The maximum daily dose for children under 12 years old is 1200 mg of the active substance (ibuprofen).
The duration of analgesic therapy should not exceed 5 days. If the medication is used to eliminate fever, then it can not be taken for more than 3 days in a row. If after the specified period all symptoms persist, then you need to stop treatment and consult a doctor for treatment correction.
How does the drug work?
You already know a lot about Nurofen tablets: what helps, how they are taken and when they are forbidden. Many parents are interested in the principle of the drug. After all, they have to give medicine to their own children. How and how much does the tablet work?
"Nurofen" refers to anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drugs that have an analgesic and antipyretic effect. After oral administration, the tablet dissolves quickly and is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. The drug inhibits the synthesis of prostaglandins, it blocks inflammation. Thus, the sensitivity of the receptors decreases: the pain passes. Also, an antipyretic effect occurs within an hour. The effect of the drug is quite long. The instructions indicate that the medication works from 4 to 8 hours. Usually, a repeated dose of the drug is required at least 6 hours later. In some cases, a single dose of the drug is sufficient.
Side effects
Pills "Nurofen" from which help - you already know. The medicine has an effective analgesic and antipyretic effect. In addition, the composition relieves inflammation and improves the general condition of the patient. But the drug can cause side effects. That is why, before use, you need to carefully study the instructions and follow all its points. The following side effects are indicated in the annotation:
- digestive system disorders (nausea, flatulence, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain);
- allergic reactions (edema, urticaria, itching, rash, increased bronchial cough);
- headache, dizziness, blurred consciousness;
- impaired renal function and malfunctioning of the blood.
If any of these symptoms appear, consult a doctor. With a mild complication, no action or medical measures are required. It is enough to cancel the treatment. If serious adverse reactions occur, the patient is washed with a stomach, sorbents and cleansing drugs are prescribed. Hospitalization is sometimes required.
Children after 12 years of age can be given other forms of Nurofen.
Upon reaching this age, the medicine can be given in another form. Children after 12 years of age are shown the use of drugs intended for adults. The dosage of medicines will also be increased. Nurofen Express preparations (capsules), Nurofen tablets are taken 200 mg up to 4 times a day. The medicine "Multisymptom" is recommended for 1 pill up to 3 times a day.
Nurofen Forte tablets contain a double dose of the active substance. They contain 400 mg of ibuprofen. This tool is prescribed for children after 12 years, 1 tablet no more than 4 times a day. Usually this medication is used when other forms of the drug are ineffective.
Nurofen (tablets): parental reviews about the medicine
Parents of children say that the drug described in the article is one of the most popular. The drug has long been used in pediatrics for the treatment of bacterial and viral diseases, accompanied by fever and pain. It is very convenient for children to use the Nurofen medication. After all, it is valid for 6-8 hours. You can give the medicine to the child before bedtime and get a good rest. After all, you will not need to worry about the fact that the temperature will rise until the morning.
Many mothers and fathers use the drug "Nurofen" for children (4 years). In tablets, medication for this age is not prescribed. But if the child weighs more than 20 kilograms and is able to swallow the medicine without prior grinding, then it is perfectly acceptable to use this form. This information is indirectly reported to the consumer by the instructions for use.
Substitutes of the drug: structural analogues and other drugs with the same effect
There are many substitutes for the drug "Nurofen" (tablets). Analogs have an identical active substance. Pay attention to the content of ibuprofen. After all, it may be different. Therefore, the method of application, dosage will be different. The most popular counterparts include Advil, Ibuprofen, Brufen, Burana, Mig, Dolgit and others.
You can also replace the medicine with many other analgesics with an antipyretic effect: Aspirin, Citramon, Paracetamol, Panadol, Analgin, and so on. All analogues of the drug should be selected by the doctor after taking into account all individual characteristics. Please note that medications based on acetylsalicylic acid can be given to children only after 16 years. They are in no way suitable for treating young patients.
Recommendations of doctors
Doctors give only positive reviews about the Nurofen medication. Pediatricians say that for a long time this drug is one of the most popular, affordable and effective. The medicine almost never has a negative effect. The most common side effect of it is an allergy.
Doctors also report that the drug is often taken on its own. If a child suddenly has a fever or a headache, then this is entirely justified. But with the reappearance of the symptom, you should already consult a doctor. After all, the drug is inherently symptomatic. It removes the manifestations of the disease, but does not eliminate its cause. Only an experienced doctor can determine what exactly happens to the child. After the examination, the doctor will prescribe medications that can be combined with the Nurofen drug.
The instructions indicate that tablets are not recommended for use simultaneously with aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The medication does not combine with certain antibiotics. Diuretic compounds and sorbents reduce the effectiveness of an antipyretic and analgesic. Pediatricians do not recommend independently increasing the dose of the drug or giving the kids a pill. This type of medication provides for its integral administration (without preliminary grinding). Young children are not always able to swallow a pill.
Finally
Effective Nurofen is used in many diseases. It is universal, able to relieve the main symptoms of the disease. The drug is available in various forms. This gives the consumer the ability to choose the most convenient medicine. But this does not say that the drug should be used thoughtlessly and at will. Especially when it comes to children. Remember that you can not give tablets to a child with acute abdominal pain. After all, the remedy can relieve symptoms, as a result of which the doctor will make the wrong diagnosis. Use the medication on your own only in emergency cases (to reduce high fever). In other situations, consult your pediatrician first. Good health to your baby!