Ibuprofen is a substance that is a component of many drugs available at a pharmacy without a prescription. We reach for them very often because of a headache, toothache or broken bones. How does ibuprofen work? What is the ibuprofen dosage for children and adults? Since when can it be given to a child? What is the difference between ibuprofen and acetaminophen?

Ibuprofen - general characteristics

Ibuprofenbelongs to the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It has anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic properties. In addition, it inhibits the aggregation (clumping) of platelets, although weaker and shorter than acetylsalicylic acid. Preparations containing ibuprofen are among the most commonly used over-the-counter (OTC) medications.

Ibuprofen works by inhibiting the synthesis of prostaglandins - transmitters that stimulate pain receptors and contribute to the formation of fever and swelling. By reducing the production of prostaglandins, ibuprofen causes a reduction in pain sensation as well as a reduction in swelling and fever.

Ibuprofen - indications for use

Drugs containing ibuprofen are used for:

  • relieving various pains
  • relieving symptoms of colds and flu
  • lowering the fever

Doctors recommend them, inter alia, in the treatment of diseases of the motor organs and connective tissue

  • rheumatoid arthritis
  • chronic polyarthritis
  • ankylosing spondylitis
  • osteoarthritis
  • extra-articular rheumatism

Ibuprofen - dosage for children and adults

In children from 3 months to 6 years of age, ibuprofen can be administered, but only in the form of an oral suspension or syrup in a dose not exceeding 20-30 mg / kg body weight / day in 3-4 divided doses.

Ibuprofen in children

In children from 3 months to 6 years of age, ibuprofen can be used only in the form of an oral suspension or syrup. In children from 6 years of age, ibuprofen can be used in the form of a suspension and syrup, as well as tablets.

Tablets withibuprofencan be used in children from 6 years of age. In children from 6 to 9 years of age (body weight 20 - 29 kg), ibuprofen is used in acute treatment in the following dose: 1 tablet orally (which contains 200 mg of ibuprofen) every 6 - 8 hours after meals. Do not use a dose higher than 3 tablets a day (maximum daily dose 600 mg in divided doses).

In children from 10 to 12 years of age (body weight 30 - 39 kg)ibuprofen is used in emergency treatment in a dose of: 1 tablet orally every 6 hours after meals. Do not use a dose higher than 4 tablets a day (maximum daily dose 800 mg in divided doses).

In adults and children over 12 years of ageibuprofen is used in acute treatment in the following dose: 1 to 2 tablets orally every 4 hours after meals. Do not use a dose higher than 6 tablets a day (the maximum daily dose is 1200 mg in divided doses).

If you accidentally take too much medicine, contact your doctor as soon as possible and he will take appropriate action.

Advantages of preparations with ibuprofen

Medicines containing this substance in the form of tablets start working after about 30 minutes after administration. Faster if we take preparations in the form of a suspension or gel capsules containing the drug in a liquid form.

Food delays the absorption of the active ingredient. The effect of the drug lasts 4-6 hours after administration. In the case of contusions and other such injuries, we can use the gel form for topical application.

An important feature ofibuprofenis that it does not accumulate in the body. One day after the last dose, it is mainly excreted in the urine in unchanged form or as an inactive metabolite. In pharmacies, we can buy preparations containing this substance in various forms: tablets, suppositories, gels or suspensions.

Ibuprofen - contraindications

Contraindications to the use of ibuprofen are:

  • gastric ulcer and / or duodenal ulcer
  • chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease).
  • hypertension
  • heart rhythm disturbance
  • blood coagulation disorders
  • severe liver, kidney or heart failure
  • renal and hepatic dysfunction
  • Taking other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs at the same time, including COX-2 inhibitors
  • hemorrhagic diathesis
  • pregnancy (especially its third trimester) and breastfeeding
  • lupus erythematosus and mixed connective tissue disease
  • symptoms of allergic reactions after admissionacetylsalicylic acid
  • taking other medications (especially anticoagulants, diuretics, cardiac drugs, corticosteroids).

The drug with ibuprofen is intended for short-term use. The patient should not use the drug for more than 3 days without consulting a doctor.

Worth knowing

Ibuprofen and paracetamol

Ibuprofen and paracetamol are popular drugs with analgesic and antipyretic properties. Therefore, both drugs can be administered with pain of various origins and with fever. What are the differences between them?

Ibuprofen also has anti-inflammatory properties. Paracetamol has no such effect. Therefore, ibuprofen will help with inflammation, and paracetamol will not.

A single oral dose for an adult (over 12 years of age) for ibuprofen is 200-400 mg, and for paracetamol - 500-1000 mg. The maximum daily dose that can be given to an adult (over 12 years of age) is also different - for ibuprofen it will be 1200 mg, and for paracetamol - 4000 mg.

Ibuprofen - possible side effects

Ibuprofen may cause side effects:

  • nausea and vomiting
  • diarrhea or constipation
  • indigestion
  • anorexic
  • skin rash
  • hives
  • rhinitis
  • blush
  • puffiness

Very rarely (less than 1 in 10,000 patients using the drug) it may develop, inter alia, to:

  • gastric ulcer and / or duodenal ulcer, gastrointestinal bleeding and perforation, sometimes fatal, especially in the elderly
  • liver dysfunction, especially during long-term use
  • erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis
  • severe hypersensitivity reactions, such as: swelling of the face, tongue and larynx, dyspnoea, tachycardia - arrhythmias, hypotension - sudden drop in blood pressure, shock; asthma exacerbation and bronchospasm
  • in individual cases the following were described: depression, psychotic reactions and tinnitus, aseptic meningitis
  • isolated cases of symptoms associated with aseptic meningitis such as neck stiffness, headache, nausea, vomiting, fever have been reported in patients with pre-existing autoimmune diseases (systemic lupus erythematosus, mixed connective tissue disease) during treatment with ibuprofen , confusion

When using high doses of the drug containing ibuprofen, visual disturbances (the so-calledtoxic amblyopia), somnolence, renal and hepatic impairment.

Important

Using ibuprofen with other medications

People taking medications due to chronic diseases should agree with their physician the use of preparations containing ibuprofen. This is because it may reduce the effectiveness of diuretics. It also intensifies the toxic effects of methotrexate.

In combination with coumarin anticoagulants, bleeding may occur. Preparations with this substance should not be used by people suffering from hemorrhagic diathesis and active gastric and duodenal ulcer disease. Patients with renal or hepatic insufficiency, heart failure or asthmatics must exercise great caution. Taking ibuprofen together with acetylsalicylic acid may cause cross-allergy.

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