Ibuprofen for Kids – Uses, Dosage and Side Effects

Parents love their kids and would go to any extent to make their kids’ lives comfortable. But sometimes, kids could suffer from illnesses, and watching them suffer can break your heart. Feeling helpless is inevitable at some point during our journey as parents, and often, there is little we can do to help them. For minor illnesses, though, there are a number of medicines, such as ibuprofen, that can help make you feel a little less helpless and your kids a whole lot better!

In this article, you will find most of the things you need to know about ibuprofen for kids. However, we strongly suggest that you should not give any medicine to your little one if it has not been prescribed by a paediatrician. Let’s begin with understanding what ibuprofen is.

What Is Ibuprofen?

Developed during the 1960s, this medicine is used mainly to treat pain, inflammation and fever. According to the Cleveland Clinic, ibuprofen is classified as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that can be sold over the counter (1). It is so widely used and has been listed as essential medicine required by the healthcare system by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Ibuprofen has a simple yet effective method of inhibiting the production of an enzyme called prostaglandin around the area of injury. This enzyme is known to give the sensation of pain, and its reduction helps in pain alleviation.

Is Ibuprofen Safe for Children?

This medicine has been used for over half a century and is one of the most trusted drugs known to mankind. However, on infants that are below the weight bracket, usage may not be recommended. Nevertheless, older kids will not face too many issues with Ibuprofen and are relatively safe provided the dosage amount is adhered to.

Available Types of Ibuprofen

As it has passed its patenting period, it is now available in as generic medicine and marketed under different brand names across the world such as Brufen, Advil, and Nurofen. This class of medicine has other members also, such as aspirin, Indocin, and naproxen. In India, some of the well-known names include Combiflam, Unafen, and Brufen.

Uses of Ibuprofen

• It can be used to treat debilitating fever for children who have difficulty sleeping at night.
• It can be used by adolescent girls who are experiencing painful cramps.
• It can be used for children who are experiencing painful toothaches and are unable to go to the dentist.
• It can be used for children who may have just had a sprain or fracture, and require immediate pain relief.
• It can be used as a pain reliever for trauma due to an injury. As it has anti-inflammatory properties, it works better than other medications such as codeine.
• It can be used for severe headaches.
• The medicine provides relief from minor aches and pains due to the flu or common cold.
• Kids suffering from arthritis can get a lot of relief with a prescribed dosage of ibuprofen.

Please bear in mind that no medicine should be given to your child if it has not been prescribed by a medical practitioner. Upon consulting a paediatrician, you will be able to get a proper diagnosis made and also get prescribed dosages to ensure there are no side effects. Below, we have provided a rough estimate of the dosages a paediatrician is more likely to prescribe.

Ibuprofen Dosage for Kids

The following chart depicts the children’s ibuprofen dosage.

Note: Ibuprofen is not recommended for infants below three months of age or below 5 kilograms. Even if your infant is below six months of age, you may want to check up with your Paediatrician before administering the medicine.

How and When to Give Ibuprofen?

Ibuprofen is ideally consumed along with or after food to avoid any digestive issues. How much one consumes depends on factors such as age and weight. As a result, adolescents, toddlers and infants are never given the same dosage.

The dosage and the timing of giving the medication will be provided by the doctor/pharmacist.

Who Can Take Ibuprofen?

If your child has a high fever but is responding well to home remedies that are alleviating the symptoms, Ibuprofen is not required. It is only when all other measures fail that you must turn to this, but it must be given only after a paediatrician has prescribed it.

Who Should Avoid Taking Ibuprofen?

Usually, a paediatrician will conduct a health checkup to diagnose the ailment and then prescribe ibuprofen. However, the doctor will also check for allergies and medical history to ensure the prescribed medicine does not have side effects. As a parent, you need to bear in mind that ibuprofen should be avoided for –

• Children who suffer from diseases of the digestive tract such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease.
• Children who have asthma.
• Children who have allergic reactions to other medicines.
• Children who have cardiovascular issues such as heart disease, blood pressure problems or irregular blood clotting.

Also, stick to the dosages and do not go overboard with the medicine. Below, we shall talk a little more about the effects of overdosage of ibuprofen.

What If a Child Takes Too Much Ibuprofen?

How does one define children’s ibuprofen overdose? The British National Formulary says children should never be given more than four doses of Ibuprofen daily. Wait for half a day before giving them their next dosage. Some of the symptoms that indicate an overdose include:

• Convulsions
• Blurred Vision
• Difficulty in breathing

If these symptoms are displayed, you need to take your child to the hospital immediately. The doctor will give your child liquid charcoal to absorb the drug. Testing has shown that consuming over 636 mg per kilogram is fatal in animals. However, in humans, the case is different as, in most cases, the subject becomes violently ill but does not die.

Sometimes, due to a busy schedule, parents may also forget to give a dosage. If that harmful for the child? Let’s find out.

What If You Forget to Give Your Child Ibuprofen?

Don’t panic if you have forgotten to give the medicine at the scheduled time. Give your child the medicine the moment you remember. If a lot of time has elapsed, and it is time for the next medicine, avoid giving two doses simultaneously. Simply give the amount that is due for that time frame to avoid an overdose.

Now, let’s take a look at the side effects of ibuprofen in kids.

Side Effects of Ibuprofen in Children

Some of the side effects that your child may experience include:

• The limbs get filled with fluid and appear swollen.
• Excessive passing of flatulence.
• Rashes on different parts of the body.
• Difficulty in breathing.
• Fatigue.
• Vomiting.
• Nausea.

Precautions to Take While Giving Ibuprofen to Your Child

Following are the precautions to be taken when administering Ibuprofen to your kid (2):

1. Read all the drug facts such as ingredients, expiration dates, dosage amount, and potential side effects.
2. Mixing of drugs with Ibuprofen can lead to death in certain cases. Always let your doctor know about any other medication that your child is having if the doctor recommends Ibuprofen.
3. Make your child stand on a weighing scale before giving the Ibuprofen, as the dosage is based on the child’s weight. Children are always growing, and an updated check on the weight can help you administer an accurate dose.
4. Avoid prolonged usage of Ibuprofen, as it can increase your child’s risk of developing heart disease.
5. Ensure your kids drink adequate water after taking the Ibuprofen tablet to avoid acidity.
6. Keep the medicines away from the reach of children as some may find the taste nice.
7. Make a note of your child’s temperature. Fever over 39-degree centigrade may require some medical intervention.
8. Avoid giving them medicines in the dark, as the dosage may become wrong.
9. Avoid giving Ibuprofen for mild fever or cold, as prolonged use can lead to complications such as digestive problems.

FAQs

1. How long does it take to work?

Once consumed, it can take about 15-30 minutes for the medicine to get into action. It would take about 1 hour for your child to feel the effects of it.

2. Can you give ibuprofen with prescription medicines?

It does not mix well with other medicines and is usually a recipe for disaster. If your child is already on other medication, please mention it to your doctor if Ibuprofen is suggested.

3. What if a child vomits?

If a child vomits after ingestion of the medicine, see if there is any darkening of stool accompanied by stomach pain. If this is the case, it may be a case of stomach ulcer, and your child will have to be taken to a doctor. If it is exclusively vomiting, try giving the medicine along with food.

4. Can ibuprofen affect a child’s growth?

There is some concern about the long-term use of NSAIDs, including ibuprofen, potentially affecting bone growth in children. Ibuprofen may interfere with the production of prostaglandins, which play a role in bone formation and growth. While occasional use is unlikely to cause issues, a healthcare provider should monitor prolonged or excessive use of ibuprofen in children to ensure it does not impact their growth and development.

This was all about kids ibuprofen. Ibuprofen is an emergency medicine that can be used to relieve the symptoms rather than doing any healing work. While there are a lot of benefits, parents are always cautioned to use the medicine as a last resort and only after a paediatrician has prescribed it. Sustained usage over time for even a mild fever can lead to issues like stomach ulcers and kidney stones.

References/Resources:

1. Ibuprofen Capsules or Tablets; Cleveland Clinic; https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/20168-ibuprofen-capsules-or-tablets

2. Ibuprofen; Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/patient-education/medications/pediatric/ibuprofen

3. How and when to give ibuprofen for children; NHS; https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/ibuprofen-for-children/how-and-when-to-give-ibuprofen-for-children/

4. Ibuprofen Dosing Table for Fever and Pain; American Academy of Pediatrics; https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-home/medication-safety/Pages/Ibuprofen-for-Fever-and-Pain.aspx

5. How to Safely Give Ibuprofen; Nemours Kids Health; https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/ibuprofen.html

6. Pain relief for children – paracetamol and ibuprofen; The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne; https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/Pain_relief_for_children_-_Paracetamol_and_Ibuprofen/

7. Ibuprofen for children; NHS; https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/ibuprofen-for-children/

Also Read: 

Deworming for Kids
Paracetamol Dosage for Children
Medication That Can Cause Poisoning in Kids