Ibuprofen is a medicine that is used to:
How it works
Ibuprofen works as a painkiller by affecting chemicals in the body called prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are substances released in response to illness or injury. They cause pain and inflammation (swelling). Prostaglandins that are released in your brain can cause a high temperature (fever or pyrexia).
The painkilling effect of ibuprofen begins soon after a dose is taken, but the anti-inflammatory effect will take longer to begin. It can sometimes take up to three weeks to get the best results.
Use in children
Ibuprofen may be given to children who are three months of age or over and weigh at least 5kg (11lbs) to relieve:
Sometimes, your GP or another healthcare professional may recommend ibuprofen for younger children. For example, babies who are two to three months of age can take ibuprofen to control a fever following a vaccination if paracetamol is unsuitable. This will be a single dose that can be repeated once after six hours if necessary.
Ibuprofen may also be given to children with rheumatic conditions, such as juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
An injection of ibuprofen can be given to premature babies (born before week 37 of the pregnancy) to treat patent ductus arteriosus (when a blood vessel in the heart does not close normally after birth).
When ibuprofen is given to babies or children, the correct dose may depend on:
- the child’s age
- the child’s weight
- the strength of the ibuprofen, which is usually in mg (milligrams)
If your baby or child has a high temperature that does not get better or they continue to experience pain, speak to your GP or call NHS Direct on 0845 4647.
Fever
A fever is when you have a high body temperature of 38C (100.4F) or over.
Inflammation
Inflammation is the body's response to infection, irritation or injury, which causes redness, swelling, pain and sometimes a feeling of heat in the affected area.
