Contents
In line with its mission, the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony makes every effort to provide reliable medical content supported by the latest scientific knowledge. The additional flag “Checked Content” indicates that the article has been reviewed by or written directly by a physician. This two-step verification: a medical journalist and a doctor allows us to provide the highest quality content in line with current medical knowledge.
Our commitment in this area has been appreciated, among others, by by the Association of Journalists for Health, which awarded the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony with the honorary title of the Great Educator.
Ibuprofen is an analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory drug. In addition to paracetamol, ibuprofen for children is the main medicine in our home medicine cabinet. Both drugs are effective, and your baby may respond better to either of the substances. For the drug to work, it must be administered correctly – the right dose at an appropriate interval.
When to give ibuprofen for children?
Ibuprofen for children is not recommended for use under 6 months of age. However, until the age of 12, caution should be exercised when administering this drug. We give ibuprofen for children when we want to reduce a fever, during painful teething, during infections such as sinuses, sore throat, urinary tract or middle ear infections. Ibuprofen for children, in addition to its antipyretic and analgesic effect in infectious diseases, has an anti-inflammatory effect.
Ibuprofen for children – how to administer the drug?
Depending on the age of the child, but also on the symptoms, ibuprofen for children can be given in suppositories, syrup or tablets. The suppository is easiest to give to infants, although this method will not work when the child has diarrhea. When applying ibuprofen for children in this way, be aware that it may be absorbed more slowly. Depending on the degree of filling the intestines with fecal masses, the effect of using this drug in this way is less predictable. When a child vomits, we will not give ibuprofen for children in syrup, and the tablets are used in older children who can swallow them.
Ibuprofen for children – dosage
Ibuprofen for children is used in doses based on the child’s weight. The best method of applying this medication is through suppositories. Then we avoid vomiting (except when the child has diarrhea. In such situations the active substance cannot be absorbed). We dose ibuprofen for children depending on the type of product we have chosen (suppositories, syrup – suspension, tablets). Detailed information on the administration of ibuprofen for children can be found on the packaging and on the leaflet attached to the medicine. A measure is attached to the medicine – a spoon or a special syringe, thanks to which we measure the right amount of the medicine. Please note that the maximum daily dose of ibuprofen for children is 40 mg / kg of the child’s body weight. We administer the drug up to three times a day and not more often than every six hours. The effect of ibuprofen for children is observed 30-60 minutes after administration of the drug.
The dose of ibuprofen in the oral supply is 5-10 mg / kg of the child’s body weight.
Ibuprofen for children or paracetamol?
Paracetamol, as a rule, is the drug we choose first. It can be used regardless of age and cause. Ibuprofen for children, in addition to its analgesic and antipyretic effect, also has an anti-inflammatory effect. For example, during teething or an injury, ibuprofen for children will work better than paracetamol. Because it will inhibit the development of inflammation, but also have a symptomatic and causal effect. However, we must remember that ibuprofen for children has greater restrictions in use than paracetamol.
When not to use ibuprofen?
We do not use ibuprofen for children in children under six months of age. It should also not be used:
- in case of hypersensitivity to ibuprofen,
- with hemorrhagic diatheses,
- in active gastric and duodenal ulcer disease,
- with renal and hepatic insufficiency,
- in bronchial asthma,
- and also during chicken pox.
Before use, read the leaflet, which contains indications, contraindications, data on side effects and dosage as well as information on the use of the medicinal product, or consult your doctor or pharmacist, as each drug used improperly is a threat to your life or health.