Effective & long-lasting (Nurofen for Children)

Name: kes33

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Product:	Nurofen for Children
Date:	17/01/02 (1244 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Long-lasting, Effective temperature reduction, Pain relief

Disadvantages: Care must be taken with dosage

Nurofen for children Sugar Free is an Ibuprofen suspension for children aged from six months upwards. I recently used this for my daughter after my doctor recommended it for relieving the pain of an ear infection. I found it to be excellent relief and very effective for reducing a high temperature for a longer period of time than Calpol. It smells very orangy but when I tasted it, it just tasted sweet; my little one didn't mind tasting it at all, in fact, she kept asking for more. (I'm not sure this is a good thing but all the childrens medications seem to do this, thank god for child proof caps!)

It works by changing the body's response to high temperatures, pain and swelling. Ibuprofen, the active ingredient contained in Nurofen, belongs to a group of medicines known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It targets the source of fever and pain. Paracetamol, which Calpol is based upon, is just an analgesic for fever-reduction and pain without the anti-inflammatory properties and therefore doesn't reach the site of pain so quickely. However, paracetamol is a lot gently on the stomach than ibuprofen which is essentially asprin-based.

Nurofen is effective relief for the following: Fever, teething pain and toothache, earache, sore throats, headache and minor aches and sprains and post immunisation symptoms.

Contraindications:

Not to be given to children with stomach ulcers or other serious stomach disorders or those who suffer a worsening of asthma, runny noses or hives due to aspirin or similar, or those who are sensitive to other ingredients.

Ingrediants:

*Ibuprofen 100mg per 5ml
*Maltitol syrup
*Water
*Glycerin
*Citric Acid
*Sodium Citrate
*Sodium Chloride
*Sodium Saccharin
*Orange Flavour
*Xanthan Gum
*Polysorbate 80
*Domiphen Bromide

Consult your doctor is your child is receiving any other regular treatment or is allergic to pai
n relievers, is taking other drugs of this type or any other medicines. The dosages for this medicine are to be read with care as you are not to give more than a certain amount in 24 hours. This is much less than with Calpol/Paracetamol products, so it is worth keeping a note of times given etc. I found that the 5ml dose that I gave my three year old daughter lasted a good twelve hours, so she only needed two doses in twenty-four hours, the limit being three.

Dosages:

Babies 6 - 12 Months: One 2.5ml spoonful 3 to four times in 24 hours.

<br>Child 1-3 years: One 5ml spoonful three times in 24 hours

Child 4-6 years: 7.5ml (5ml + 2.5) three times in 24 hours

Child 7-9 years: Two 5ml spoonful three times in 24 hours

Child 10-12 years: Three 5ml spoonful three times in 24 hours.

I usually err on the side of caution and try to give only when absolutely necessary and then below the maximum doses. My daughter had a temperature of 103 + when I gave her the first dose and no amount of sponging with tepid water would keep it down., so I gave her some at bedtime, this is when I know she will need it most as I'm not in the room to sponge her and anyway, she needs sleep when ill more than ever. During the day, I only gave it to her if I felt her temperature was getting out of control.

It states on the box that this medicine is for short-term use only and I would only give it to my child in extreme circumstances such as above.

Side-effects:

These are said to be rare but can include stomach pain, nausea, rash, itching, worsening of asthma unexplained wheezing or shortness of breath. The medicine may also have a mild laxative effect and it is better if it can be given with or just after food. If any side-effects occur, you should consult your doctor immediately.

Conclusion:

I think this is an excellent medicine to give your child when they are very ill and really suff
ering. Personally, I would not use it on a regular basis, but only for those 'acute' illnesses. It is particularly effective for reducing temperature and is longer lasting than paracetamol. My doctor did tell me that I could use paracetamol in conjunction with this but I don't like to give too many medicines to children and I found the Nurofen to be effective on its own anyway. If you feel that you need to give paracetamol as well, consult your doctor or pharmacist for the correct dosages. My first child always suffered from very higher temperatures when she was ill and had mini-convulsions so I wish this had been available when she was smaller as paracetamol was never effective enough for her. All in all this is an effective product but should be used sparingly and with care.

Thanks for reading.

© Kerry Downing 2002

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