The most commonly prescribed drugs for children are antipyretics. Most of them are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These funds can not only reduce the temperature. They have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Today's article will introduce Nurofen medicine to you. Dosage for children of different ages and how to use the medication will be described for you.
Varieties of the drug "Nurofen"
The manufacturer of the drug is Reckitt Benckiser. The company is based in the UK. Therefore, all packs have a foreign name of 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 and over.
- In the form of suppositories, intended for use from 3 months andup to 2 years.
- In syrup or suspension for children from birth to 6 years (or more).
- Nurofen Express NEO tablets (allowed from 12 years old).
- "Nurofen" for women "Express Lady".
- Nurofen Ultracap liquid formulation capsules (valid for use from 12 years old).
- Nurofen Forte double dose.
- Multisymptom migraine pills
- Means "Nurofen" in the form of a gel for external use with a concentration of 5%.
What does the instructions for use say about Nurofen preparations? For children, not all of the above medicines can be used. It all depends on the age of the child and the symptoms present. Let us consider in detail how the drug "Nurofen" (in tablets) is used for children.
Description of medication for children
What is the composition of Nurofen? The tablets contain 200 mg of the active ingredient (ibuprofen). There are also additional components in the preparation: sodium croecarmellose 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 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 medication is often available from the parents in the first aid kit. After all, the well-being of the child can deteriorate at any time. The following situations are considered real indications for the use of the drug:
- temperature increase of different nature and causes;
- pain syndrome (toothache, headache, muscle pain);
- migraine and neuralgia;
- otitis and tonsillitis, as well as other diseases of the upper respiratory tract.
The drug is often used in combination with other drugs as symptomatic therapy. The remedy is prescribed for inflammatory diseases.
Important information about children's medicine: contraindications for use
As you already know, Nurofen medicine (in tablets) is recommended for children only from 6 years old. For young children, the remedy 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 a reason for refusing this medication. What other contraindications does Nurofen have?
Instructions for the use of tablets (200 mg) prohibits taking if there is a high sensitivity to the active substance or additional components. If the child has intolerance to acetylsalicylic acid, then you should also refuse to use the medication. It is forbidden to use the remedy for children with heart failure, high blood pressure, diseases of the optic nerve. Children's pills 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 information on restrictions
Describes other limitations in the use of the drug "Nurofen" instructions for use. The 200 mg tablets should be taken very carefully and only after prior consultation with a doctor in the following situations:
- renal and liver failure;
- ischemic disease and diabetes mellitus;
- if the child has an allergy that is treated with oral corticosteroids;
- diseases of the stomach and intestines of different nature and severity.
The annotation also states that children under the age of 12 should be given under adult supervision.
Nurofen dosage for young children
One tablet is shown to the child at the reception. The frequency of use of the drug should not exceed 4 times a day. The break between the use of the drug is 6 hours or more. The maximum daily dose for children under 12 is 1200 mg of the active ingredient (ibuprofen).
Duration of analgesic therapy should not exceed 5 days. If the medication is used to eliminate fever, then it should 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 contactdoctor for correction therapy.
How does the drug work?
You already know a lot about Nurofen tablets: what they help with, how they are taken and when they are prohibited. Many parents are interested in the principle of the drug. After all, they have to give medicine to their own children. How and how long does the pill work?
"Nurofen" refers to anti-inflammatory nonsteroidal drugs that have analgesic and antipyretic effects. After oral administration, the tablet dissolves rapidly and is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. The drug inhibits the synthesis of prostaglandins, it blocks inflammation. This reduces the sensitivity of the receptors: the pain disappears. Also within an hour comes the antipyretic effect. The effect of the drug is quite long. The instructions indicate that the medication works from 4 to 8 hours. Usually a second dose of the drug is required at least 6 hours later. In some cases, a single dose of the medicine is sufficient.
Side effects
Pills "Nurofen" from what they help - you already know. The drug 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 also cause side effects. That is why before use, you need to carefully study the instructions and follow all of its points. The annotation lists the following side effects:
- disturbances in the digestive system (nausea, flatulence, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain);
- allergic reactions (edema,urticaria, itching, rash, increased bronchial cough);
- pain in the head, dizziness, clouding of consciousness;
- impaired kidney function and malfunction of the hematopoietic organs.
If any of these symptoms occur, see a doctor. With a mild course of complications, no action and medical measures are required. It is enough to cancel the treatment. If adverse reactions occur in severe form, then the patient is washed with a stomach, prescribe sorbents and cleansing drugs. Sometimes hospitalization is required.
Children over 12 can be given other forms of Nurofen
After 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. Preparations "Nurofen Express" (capsules), tablets "Nurofen" are taken 200 mg up to 4 times a day. Multisymptom medicine is recommended 1 pill up to 3 times a day.
Tablets "Nurofen Forte" contain a double dose of the active ingredient. They contain 400 mg of ibuprofen. This remedy is prescribed for children over 12 years old, 1 tablet no more than 4 times a day. This medicine is usually used when other forms of the drug have failed.
"Nurofen" (tablets): parental reviews of the medicine
Parents of children say that the drug described in the article is one of the most popular. The tool has long been used in pediatrics for the treatment of bacterial andviral diseases accompanied by fever and pain. For children, it is very convenient to use the medicine "Nurofen". After all, it works for 6-8 hours. You can give the medicine to the child at bedtime and get a good rest. After all, there will be no need to worry about the fact that the temperature will rise until the morning.
Many mothers and fathers use Nurofen for children (4 years). In tablets, a medication for this age is not prescribed. But if the child weighs more than 20 kilograms and is able to swallow the medicine without first grinding, then it is quite acceptable to use this form. This information is indirectly communicated to the consumer by the instructions for use.
Drug substitutes: structural analogues and other drugs with the same effect
There are many substitutes for Nurofen (tablets). Analogues have an identical active substance. Pay attention to the content of ibuprofen. After all, it can be different. Therefore, the method of application, the dosage will be different. The most popular analogues 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 drugs based on acetylsalicylic acid can be given to children only after 16 years of age. They are in no way suitable for the treatment of younger patients.age.
Recommendations from doctors
Doctors give only positive feedback about the drug "Nurofen". Pediatricians say that for a long time this drug has been one of the most popular, affordable and effective. The medicine almost never has a negative effect. The most common side effect of it is allergy.
Doctors also report that the remedy is often self-administered. If a child suddenly has a fever or a headache, then this is quite justified. But if the symptom reappears, you should already consult a doctor. After all, the drug is essentially symptomatic. It removes the manifestations of the disease, but does not eliminate its cause. Only an experienced doctor can determine what exactly is happening to the child. After the examination, the doctor will prescribe medications that can be combined with Nurofen.
The instructions indicate that the tablets are not recommended for use simultaneously with aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The medication is not compatible with some antibiotics. Diuretic compounds and sorbents reduce the effectiveness of the antipyretic and analgesic. Pediatricians do not recommend independently increasing the dose of the drug or giving babies a remedy in tablets. This type of medication provides for its whole reception (without preliminary grinding). Small children are not always able to swallow a pill.
In conclusion
Effective remedy "Nurofen" is used for many diseases. It is universal, able to remove the main symptoms of the disease. The drug is available in different forms. This enables the consumer to choose the most convenient drug. But this does not mean that the drug should be used thoughtlessly and at will. Especially when it comes to children. Remember that you should not give pills to a child with acute abdominal pain. After all, the remedy can relieve symptoms, as a result of which the doctor will make an incorrect diagnosis. Use the medication alone only in emergency cases (to reduce high fever). In other situations, consult with your pediatrician first. Good he alth to your baby!
