Ibuprofen is one of the most sought-after drugs for the reduction of high body temperature or pain. This medicine is available in several forms, and the suspension is the most popular in the treatment of children, since it is easy to give it even to infants. Not everyone knows how such a medication acts on the child's body, when it is prescribed and in what dosage it is used for children.
Release form
Ibuprofen in liquid form produced by the company "EKOlab" in the form of a 2% solution packed in dark glass bottles of 100 ml. This suspension is distinguished by its white-cream color, orange smell and slightly tart sweet taste. A measuring spoon is attached to the bottle, allowing you to collect the drug in a dose of 2.5 or 5 ml.
In pharmacies, you can also purchase a suspension called "Ibuprofen-Akrikhin" which has a bright orange color and orange flavor. Such medication is packaged in 100 ml - both in a glass bottle and in a plastic bottle. There is a syringe or measuring spoon in the package for the exact dosage of the medicine.
Composition
The main component of the suspension, thanks to which it has a healing effect, is ibuprofen. In 5 milliliters of medicine, this substance is contained in a dose of 100 mg. Among the auxiliary ingredients of the drug are sorbitol, glycerol, xanthan gum, citric acid, fragrances and other compounds.
Operating principle
Once in the child's body, ibuprofen affects the synthesis of prostaglandins, the inhibition of which is associated with the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect of the suspension. The drug also has antipyretic effects. and the ability to suppress platelet aggregation.
After oral administration, the active compound is absorbed from the stomach quite well. The drug takes effect 20-30 minutes after swallowing, and its therapeutic effect lasts up to 3-4 hours. The drug is excreted mainly by the kidneys, completely leaving the body after a single dose within 24 hours.
Indications
"Ibuprofen" in the form of a suspension is used as a symptomatic agent in the following situations:
- If the child has a high body temperature with flu, sore throat and other infectious diseases.
- If the baby has a fever after vaccination.
- When crumbs are teething, and this process is painful for the child.
- If the baby has otitis media, the child complains of ear pain.
- With neuralgia, painful sensations in the joints and muscles - for example, after an injury.
From what age is it allowed to take?
The suspension is not prescribed for infants under 3 months of age, and for children 3-6 months old it can be given only after consulting a doctor (most often at this age, the drug is prescribed for post-vaccination fever). The annotation to the medicine also states that it is prescribed only up to 12 years old, and adolescents over 12 years old it is better to give analogues with a higher dosage.
Contraindications
Suspension is not prescribed:
- With intolerance to both ibuprofen and other components of the drug, as well as fructose.
- If you are allergic to other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
- With ulcerative or erosive lesions of the digestive tract - for example, with exacerbation of a stomach ulcer or ulcerative colitis.
- With severe renal failure.
- With an increased level of potassium in the blood.
- With intestinal inflammation.
- With a tendency to bleeding and hemophilia.
- With a lack of enzymes isomaltase or sucrase, as well as in the case of glucose-galactose malabsorption.
If a child has diabetes, heart disease, liver disease or other serious diseases, Ibuprofen should be used with caution.
Side effects
- The child's digestive tract may react to suspension treatment with the appearance of painful sensations in the abdomen, flatulence, nausea, loss of appetite and other negative symptoms.
- In some children, the medication causes allergies, which can manifest as hives, runny nose, bronchospasm, itchy skin, and other types of allergic reactions.
- From the side of the central nervous system of a small patient in response to taking "Ibuprofen", dizziness or headaches may appear. Babies sometimes become drowsy, anxious, irritable, or overly agitated.
- Acting on hematopoiesis, "Ibuprofen" can provoke anemia, leukopenia and a decrease in platelet levels.
- In rare cases, treatment with a suspension leads to hearing loss and various visual impairments, as well as kidney damage, tachycardia, or increased blood pressure.
Instructions for use
Before each use, the medication must be shaken, since during storage its contents are separated into a liquid part and a sediment.
The tool should be given to the child after meals in a dosage that is determined by age:
- Toddlers aged 3 to 6 months with a weight of 5 to 7.6 kg, syrup is given in a dose of 2.5 ml (50 mg) three times a day. The maximum daily dose is 7.5 ml (150 mg).
- Infants 6-12 months with a weight of 7.7 to 9 kg, the drug is given 3 or 4 times a day, 2.5 ml (50 mg). The maximum daily dose is 10 ml (200 mg).
- For babies aged 1 to 3 years with a weight of 10 to 16 kg, a single dosage will be 5 ml (100 mg) of the suspension. It is given three times a day. The maximum daily dose is 15 ml (300 mg).
- Child 4-6 years old, whose weight is from 17 to 20 kg, a three-time intake of the medication 7.5 ml (150 mg) is prescribed. The maximum daily dose is 22.5 ml (450 mg).
- Ages 7 to 9 with a weight of 21 to 30 kg, a single volume of the drug is 10 ml (200 mg). Suspension in this dose is given 3 times a day. The maximum daily dose is 30 ml (600 mg).
- Child 10-12 years old with a weight of 31 to 40 kg, the medication is prescribed three times a day, 15 ml (300 mg). The maximum daily dose is 45 ml (900 mg).
If the suspension is given to a child with a reaction to the vaccine, then it is often taken once (in an age-appropriate dose). Sometimes a second appointment is required after 6 hours.
With fever, the suspension can be taken for only three days. If the fever persists on the fourth day, see a doctor. If the medication is used for pain, then the duration of use is up to 5 days.
Overdose
If you accidentally exceed the dose of the suspension, it can cause tinnitus, abdominal pain, nausea, drowsiness and other negative symptoms. In severe cases, the medication provokes respiratory arrest, liver damage, bradycardia, convulsions and other dangerous conditions. For this reason, in the event of an overdose, it is important to seek immediate medical attention.
Interaction with other drugs
The use of "Ibuprofen" can affect the treatment of many other drugs, including other nonsteroidal drugs, diuretics, insulin, vasodilators, antacids and anticoagulants. If the child is taking any additional medications, before taking the suspension, you should consult your doctor.
Terms of sale and storage
Suspension "Ibuprofen" is an over-the-counter medication, therefore it is sold without a prescription, but it is still advisable to consult a pediatrician before using this remedy for a child (especially under the age of 2 years). The average price of a 100 ml bottle is 60-70 rubles.
It is recommended to store the sealed drug at home at room temperature for the entire shelf life (3 years) - in a dry place where small children cannot reach the product. If the package is opened, it should be used within 6 months.
If six months have passed after the first use, and the suspension still remains in the bottle, it must be discarded.
Reviews
The response to the medicine is mostly positive. In most cases, the suspension helps to reduce fever or pain, according to moms, and children rarely protest against its sweet taste. One of the advantages of the drug is also called its affordable price (in comparison with analogues).
Side effects after taking syrup, they are rare, but sometimes babies do not like the smell, as well as the taste of such a medicine. The disadvantages include the fact that the bottle is glass, and the lid opens very easily (there is no protection from children).
Analogs
Most often, the suspension "Ibuprofen" is replaced by the drug "Nurofen" for children, which is also available in the form of a sweet strawberry or orange suspension containing 100 mg of ibuprofen in 5 ml of the drug. This medication is allowed from 3 months and is prescribed for fever, toothache, sore throat and other diseases that coincide with the indications for taking Ibuprofen. The differences between these two drugs are the different composition of the excipients and the higher price of Nurofen.
If there is no opportunity to give the child "Ibuprofen" or "Nurofen" in suspension, the doctor can replace such drugs with other antipyretic and analgesic drugs - for example, "Children's Panadol", syrup Efferalgan or drug Calpol. The basis of these medicines is paracetamol, which is used in the treatment of babies older than 3 months. It is considered safe and effective for treating fever in children.
Detailed instructions for the use of Ibuprofen are set out in the video.
Doctor Komarovsky will tell you which antipyretic drugs are best used to treat a child.
