Nurofen Voor Kinderen (Ibuprofen)

Ibuprofen acts on inflammatory pathways to relieve common childhood complaints.

• Pain relief in children: reduces mild to moderate pain such as toothache or sore throat.
• Fever reduction in children: lowers elevated body temperature associated with viral or bacterial infections.
• Inflammation control in children: diminishes swelling from minor injuries or inflammatory conditions.

• Ibuprofen reversibly inhibits cyclo‑oxygenase‑1 (COX‑1) and cyclo‑oxygenase‑2 (COX‑2) enzymes, decreasing the conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandins. The reduced prostaglandin synthesis leads to lower inflammation, pain signalling and hypothalamic temperature set‑point, providing analgesic, antipyretic and anti‑inflammatory actions.

Adverse reactions may range from mild to severe and should be monitored.

Common Side Effects

• Stomach upset: mild abdominal discomfort or dyspepsia.
• Nausea: feeling of queasiness, sometimes leading to vomiting.
• Diarrhoea: loose stools occurring after dosing.
• Headache: transient cranial pain.
• Dizziness: light‑headed sensation.
• Rash: mild skin irritation.

Serious or Rare Side Effects

• Gastrointestinal bleeding: blood in stool or vomit.
• Severe allergic reaction: swelling, hives, or anaphylaxis.
• Stevens‑Johnson syndrome: severe skin blistering.
• Liver enzyme elevation: abnormal liver function tests.
• Kidney impairment: reduced urine output or swelling.
• Blood pressure rise: unexpected hypertension.

When using ibuprofen in children, several safety measures are recommended.

• Age limitation: only for children as indicated by the product label.
• Weight‑based dosing: follow prescriber guidance based on body weight.
• Dehydration risk: avoid use in severely dehydrated children.
• Concomitant NSAIDs: do not combine with other non‑steroidal anti‑inflammatory drugs.
• Asthma caution: monitor for bronchospasm in asthmatic children.
• Store at ambient temperature: keep in the original pack, protect from moisture and heat.

Ibuprofen can interact with several medicines, requiring attention to avoid adverse outcomes.

Major Interactions (Avoid)

• Anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin): increased bleeding risk.
• Other NSAIDs: heightened gastrointestinal toxicity.
• Corticosteroids: amplified ulcer risk.
• Lithium: elevated lithium serum levels.
• Methotrexate: reduced clearance leading to toxicity.

Moderate Interactions (Monitor Closely)

• Antihypertensives (e.g., ACE inhibitors): possible reduction in blood pressure control.
• Diuretics: risk of reduced renal function.
• SSRIs: modest increase in bleeding tendency.
• Alcohol: enhanced gastrointestinal irritation.
• Vaccines: potential for altered immune response.