Ibuprofen for children

NHS information on ibuprofen for children, including what it's used for, side effects, dosage and who can take it.

This information is for children aged 17 years or under. There's separate information about ibuprofen for adults.

What ibuprofen is for

Ibuprofen is a type of painkiller called a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs can help with lots of types of pain, including:

• pain after an injury
• swelling (inflammation)
• earache
• teething pain
• sore throat
• cold and flu symptoms

Ibuprofen can also help if your child is distressed or uncomfortable because they have a high temperature (fever).

How to give ibuprofen and how much to give (dose)

There are several types of ibuprofen for children, including:

• liquid (also called oral suspension)
• tablets and capsules
• granules you mix with water

How you give it and how much to give depends on the type of ibuprofen, your child's age and sometimes their weight.

Only give your child as much medicine as they need to ease their symptoms and stop using it when it's no longer needed.

Always check the packet or leaflet that comes with your medicine. Ask a pharmacist, doctor or nurse at your GP surgery for advice if you're not sure how to use it or your child has problems taking it.

If a doctor prescribes ibuprofen for your child, follow the advice they give you about how to use it and how much to use.

How to give common types of ibuprofen for children

Side effects of ibuprofen

Like all medicines, ibuprofen can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.

Common side effects

Common side effects of ibuprofen include:

• symptoms of indigestion such as burping and farting
• stomach ache
• feeling sick (nausea) and being sick (vomiting)
• headache
• dizziness
• diarrhoea or constipation
• a rash

These are not all the side effects of ibuprofen.

For a full list, see the leaflet that comes with your medicine or search for your medicine leaflet on the electronic medicines compendium website.

You can report any side effects you get on the Yellow Card website.

Who can and cannot take ibuprofen

Most children over 3 months old can take ibuprofen.

But ibuprofen is not suitable for all children. For example, it may not be suitable if your child:

• has had an allergic reaction or serious side effect to ibuprofen or another type of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) before such as naproxen
• has a kidney or liver condition
• has asthma
• has an infection such as chickenpox or pneumonia

Check the packet or leaflet that comes with the medicine to see if it's suitable for your child. Speak to a pharmacist or doctor if you're not sure they should take it.

Giving ibuprofen with other medicines, food and drink

There are some medicines, remedies and supplements that may not mix well with ibuprofen.

This includes:

• other medicines with ibuprofen in them and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, diclofenac and naproxen
• some types of steroid medicine, such as prednisolone, or beclomethasone
• some types of antibiotic such as ciprofloxacin

Check the packet or leaflet that comes with your medicine to see if it's suitable for your child. Speak to a pharmacist or doctor if you're not sure if they can take it.

Giving ibuprofen with paracetamol

If you've been giving your child ibuprofen but it's not helping their symptoms, you can try giving them paracetamol for children as well, if it's suitable for your child.

Do not give ibuprofen and paracetamol at the same time. But you can alternate between them if a health professional such as a doctor or nurse tells you to.

If a health professional advises you to do this, it can help to write down when you gave each medicine to make sure the doses are spaced evenly and to avoid giving too much.

Paracetamol can be given up to 4 times in 24 hours, depending on your child's age and dose. Check the packet or leaflet that comes with the medicine.

Food and drink with ibuprofen

Your child can eat and drink normally when taking ibuprofen.

Find out more about your medicine

To find out more about your child's medicine, you can:

• check the leaflet that comes with it
• search for the medicine leaflet on the electronic medicines compendium (EMC) website
• find out more about paracetamol for mild-to-moderate pain on the Medicines for Children website
• speak to a pharmacist or doctor for advice