Ibuprofen for children

Most babies and children aged 3 months and over who weigh at least 5kg (11lb) can have ibuprofen for children.

Younger babies aged 1 month to 3 months can have ibuprofen for children, only if a doctor prescribes it.

Some types of ibuprofen that you buy without a prescription are only suitable for children aged 7 years and over. Other types, including tablets, are only suitable for children aged 12 years and over.

Check the packaging or leaflet to make sure the medicine is suitable for your child. Speak to a pharmacist or doctor if you're not sure.

Ibuprofen is not suitable for some children. To make sure it's safe for your child, check with a pharmacist or doctor before giving ibuprofen if your child:

• has ever had an allergic reaction to ibuprofen or any other medicine
• has asthma
• has ever had stomach, heart, liver or kidney problems
• has a health problem that means they have an increased risk of bleeding
• has an inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis
• has any signs of dehydration
• is small or big for their age, as a lower or higher dose may be recommended

Do not give ibuprofen for chickenpox unless it has been recommended by a doctor. It can cause a serious skin reaction.

You'll usually give your child ibuprofen 3 or 4 times a day. Your pharmacist or doctor will tell you how often to give it.

If you're not sure how much to give a child, ask your pharmacist or doctor.

If you give it:

• 3 times in 24 hours, leave at least 6 hours between doses
• 4 times in 24 hours, leave at least 4 hours between doses

Dosage for liquid

Ibuprofen liquid (oral suspension), for children from 3 months old, contains 100mg of ibuprofen in 5ml.

For children aged 7 years and over, a stronger liquid is also available containing 200mg in 5ml. If you're using this, check the leaflet that comes with the medicine or ask a pharmacist or doctor for advice.

Always check the dose instructions on the packaging or leaflet provided, or on the dispensing label if ibuprofen has been prescribed for your child, to make sure you give the correct dose.

The usual dose for children aged 12 to 17 years is 200mg to 400mg (one or two 200mg tablets or capsules), up to 3 times in 24 hours.

If a doctor prescribes tablets or capsules for children aged under 12 years, they will use your child's age and weight to work out the right dose for them.

If your child has long-term or more frequent pain, your doctor may prescribe slow-release ibuprofen tablets. Give these once or twice a day. Follow the instructions on the dispensing label.

It's best to give ibuprofen to children with food or milk so that they do not get indigestion.

Liquid (oral suspension)

Shake the bottle well and measure out the right amount using a plastic oral syringe or spoon. These come in the medicine packet. If you do not have an oral syringe or spoon, ask your pharmacist for one. Do not use a kitchen teaspoon as it will not measure the right amount.

To hide the taste of the liquid, you can give the child a drink of milk or fruit juice straight after the medicine. But do not mix ibuprofen liquid with juice or milk as it may mean they do not get the right dose if they do not finish the drink.

Tablets and capsules

Tablets and capsules should be swallowed whole with a drink of water or juice. Tell your child not to chew, break, crush or suck them as this could irritate their mouth or throat.

Children taking chewable capsules should chew them before swallowing.

Granules

Sprinkle or stir the granules into a small amount of soft food (such as yoghurt) or a small drink, or you can mix them with a spoonful of cold water. Do not mix the granules with warm food or warm liquid.

Your child should then swallow the food, or drink the liquid straight away without chewing. Make sure they take it all. Do not keep the granules and food mixture to give later.

Do not give ibuprofen to a child aged 6 months or older for more than 3 days without speaking to a doctor.

If your baby is aged 3 to 5 months, or under 3 months and has been prescribed ibuprofen, speak to a doctor if they do not improve within 24 hours or their symptoms get worse.

Give the missed dose as soon as you remember, unless it's nearly time for their next dose. In this case, skip the missed dose and give their next dose at the usual time.

Never give 2 doses to make up for a forgotten one.

• your child takes any extra doses of ibuprofen

Get help from 111 online or call 111. Call 111 if you need advice for a child under 5 years old

If you need to go to A&E, do not drive. Ask someone to drive you or call 999 and ask for an ambulance.

Bring the ibuprofen packet or leaflet inside it, any remaining medicine, and any other medicines your child takes.

It happens rarely, but some children may have a serious side effect from ibuprofen.

Call 111 or speak to a doctor straight away if your child:

• gets severe stomach pains, vomits blood, or their poo is very dark or black – these may be signs of a stomach ulcer
• stops peeing or there's blood in their pee – there may be a problem with their kidneys
• hears ringing in their ears
• has asthma that seems to be getting worse

Serious allergic reaction

In rare cases, it's possible for your child to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to ibuprofen.

Call 999 now if:

• your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
• you're breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you're choking or gasping for air)
• your throat feels tight or you're struggling to swallow
• your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
• you suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
• someone faints and cannot be woken up
• a child is limp, floppy or not responding like they normally do (their head may fall to the side, backwards or forwards, or they may find it difficult to lift their head or focus on your face)

You or the person who's unwell may also have a rash that's swollen, raised, itchy, blistered or peeling.

These can be signs of a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital.

These are not all the side effects of ibuprofen for children. For a full list see the leaflet inside your medicines packet.

Ibuprofen does not mix well with some prescription medicines.

Check with your child's doctor or a pharmacist before giving your child ibuprofen if they're taking any other medicines, including:

• medicines that help to prevent blood clots, such as warfarin
• other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, diclofenac, mefenamic acid or naproxen
• medicines for high blood pressure
• steroid medicines such as betamethasone, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone or prednisolone
• quinolone antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, norfloxacin or ofloxacin
• antidepressants such as citalopram, fluoxetine, venlafaxine, paroxetine or sertraline
• lithium, a medicine for mood disorders

Paracetamol for children is a safe painkiller to give children alongside ibuprofen. However, do not give ibuprofen and paracetamol at the same time.

You need to give these medicines 1 at a time (unless your child's doctor or nurse gives you different instructions).

For high temperature

If you've given your child ibuprofen and they still have a high temperature after 1 hour, you could try paracetamol instead.

If this helps bring down their temperature, carry on giving them paracetamol only (following the instructions that come with the medicine).

Call your child's doctor if you've tried both paracetamol and ibuprofen and they have not helped.

Do not alternate between paracetamol and ibuprofen to treat a high temperature without advice from a doctor or nurse.

Do not give more than the maximum daily dose of either medicine.

For pain (including teething)

If you've given your child ibuprofen and they're still in pain 1 hour later, you could try giving paracetamol.

If they're still in some pain after giving paracetamol you can alternate between doses of paracetamol and ibuprofen. Only give 1 medicine at a time.

It may help to keep a diary of the time and dose of each medicine you give. Follow the instructions on the leaflet that comes with each medicine. Do not give the medicine for more than 3 days (or 1 day if they're under 6 months) without speaking to a doctor.

Do not give more than the maximum daily dose of either medicine.

If you've tried alternating between paracetamol and ibuprofen and it has not helped, or your child becomes distressed, speak to your doctor about what may be causing their pain.

Never give aspirin to a child under the age of 16, unless their doctor prescribes it.

It's not possible to say whether complementary medicines, herbal remedies and supplements are safe for children to take with ibuprofen. They're not tested in the same way as pharmacy and prescription medicines. They're generally not tested for the effect they have on other medicines.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements.