Ibuprofen is rightfully considered the most effective and common remedy for treating the symptoms of colds and acute respiratory viral infections. Some patients successfully relieve fever with its help and consider it an antipyretic, while others relieve serious pain of a chronic nature, for example, in the spine. The fact is that Ibuprofen has three properties at the same time: anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic.
Ibuprofen
Indications for use
Ibuprofen belongs to the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - derivatives of phenylpropionic acid. In the instructions for tablets and capsules for adults, we see primarily prescriptions related to the symptomatic treatment of diseases of the joints or spine (rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, bursitis, sciatica), the fight against pain from injuries, myalgia and neuritis. In children's forms, we find the following indications: sore throat, pain with otitis media, teething, reduction of fever during ARVI or influenza, relief of symptoms of fever during childhood infections and post-vaccination reactions.
Of course, the indications are not limited to those mentioned above. We list here the most common types of pathologies where Ibuprofen does an excellent job eliminating inflammation and pain:
- Pathologies of the musculoskeletal system, pain relief: ankylosing spondylitis, radiculitis, spinal osteochondrosis, exacerbation of gout, polyarthrosis, psoriatic arthritis, tendinitis, inflammation of soft tissues in injuries, back pain, joint pain, trauma, sprains, dislocations, myalgia of various types .
- Diseases of the peripheral nervous system: neuralgia and neuritis.
- Gynecology: primary dysmenorrhea, secondary dysmenorrhea, pain during painful menstruation, with adnexitis.
- Relief of various types of pain: toothache, headache, migraine, sore throat, ear pain with otitis media, muscle pain.
- Use as an antipyretic for fever, flu, ARVI and colds. Increased temperature in infectious and inflammatory diseases.
- Relief after vaccination, including against coronavirus.
What forms does Ibuprofen come in?
In pharmacies you can find four dosage forms of the drug:
- If there are no contraindications related to the gastrointestinal tract, then people usually choose tablets or capsules.
- In cases where there is a stomach disease in the acute stage or the patient for some reason cannot swallow a tablet, suppositories are prescribed.
- Syrups are prescribed to infants. Most pediatricians prefer to reduce fever using Ibuprofen rather than Paracetamol, since the former acts faster and longer, and also has a lower safety profile due to the absence of toxic metabolites.
- For pain in the joints, muscles, back, and injuries, the ointment is ideal.
Ibuprofen analogs
Level 4 ATC code matches:
Artrum
Brustan
Ketonal Duo
Nurofen Plus
Nurofen Express
Nurofen Forte
Nurofen Express Lady
Nurofen for children
Nurofen
Ibuprom
Advil
MIG 400
Has
Ketoprofen
Vimovo
Naproxen
Flexen
Nalgesin
Flamax
Novigan
Synonyms (analogs of Ibuprofen with the same active ingredient):
- Ibuprofen-Hemofarm
- Nurofen
- MIG 400
- Ibuprom
- Faspik
- Solpaflex
- Advil
Generic dosage forms for external therapy are the following drugs:
- Dolgit
- Ibalgin
- Nurofen
- Ibuprofen-Verte
Ibuprofen or Nurofen - which is better?
Nurofen is a medicine based on ibuprofen. That is, the drugs are generics. They are distinguished from each other by manufacturer, price and composition of auxiliary components.
Instructions for taking Ibuprofen for adults and children.
- A single dosage for an adult is 200 mg; in case of severe pain, you can take 400 mg, the dosage frequency is 3-4 times a day, but not more than 1200 mg per day.
- A single dose for a child over 6 years old is 200 mg, can be taken 3-4 times a day. The maximum dosage for children per day differs by age as follows: for children 12-17 years old - 1000 mg; for children aged 6 to 12 years - 800 mg.
Ibuprofen Welfarm for adults
How many days can you take Ibuprofen?
The drug is taken for 2-3 days; if the patient’s condition does not improve or becomes worse, it is necessary to stop taking it and consult a doctor.
Ibuprofen during pregnancy and lactation
Ibuprofen is the drug of choice for pain and fever during pregnancy, since during this period of time it is safer for the woman’s body than most other analgesics and antipyretics.
In the first 2 trimesters of pregnancy, it does not have a negative effect on the development of the fetus, does not provoke bleeding (unlike Aspirin ) and does not create a threat of miscarriage.
In the last trimester of pregnancy, taking Ibuprofen is contraindicated.
Firstly, the drug inhibits the contraction of the uterine muscles. Secondly, its use can cause closure of the ductus botellus and the development of pulmonary hypertension in a child. Thirdly, the medicine tends to block the hormones responsible for the birth process.
Ibuprofen during breastfeeding does not affect the quality and secretion of milk, therefore it can be used to treat nursing women.
Ibuprofen for children
Ibuprofen in the form of syrup for children is used from the age of 3 months and can begin to act within 15 minutes. The tablets take effect within 30 minutes.
How to use baby syrups?
Children's syrups are usually made using fruit fillings and therefore children take them with pleasure. For the little ones there is a measuring syringe complete with syrup, where 1 ml contains a certain dose of Ibuprofen.
It is necessary to follow the manufacturer's instructions, the maximum daily dosage for a child is 30 mg per 1 kg of body weight, the interval between doses is from 6 to 8 hours. As we noted earlier, the duration of treatment should not exceed 3 days. Syrups are popular and therefore they are often designed for use up to 12 years, although tablets can also be used from 6 years.
The dose of syrup for a child can be determined from the table.
| Child's age | Body weight in kg | Dosage | Maximum dose per day |
| 3-6 months | 5kg-7.6kg | 50 mg up to 3 times a day | 150 mg |
| 6-12 months | 7.7-9 kg | 50 mg up to 3-4 times a day | 200 mg |
| 1-3 years | 10-16 kg | 100 mg up to 3 times a day | 300 mg |
| 4-6 years | 17-20 kg | 150 mg up to 3 times a day | 450 mg |
Compound
The tablets contain the active ingredient ibuprofen (200/400/500 mg) and excipients: potato starch, magnesium stearate, aerosil, vanillin, beeswax, food gelatin, azorubine dye, magnesium hydroxycarbonate, wheat flour, low molecular weight povidone, sucrose, dioxide titanium.
In the ointment and gel, the active substance is contained in a concentration of 50 mg/g, in the suspension - in a concentration of 20 mg/ml.
Auxiliary components of the gel: ethanol, propylene glycol, dimexide, carbomer 940, triethanolamine, neroli and lavender oil, methyl parahydroxybenzoate, purified water.
Auxiliary components of the ointment: dimethyl sulfoxide, macrogol 400 and 1500.
Ibuprofen in suppository form contains 60 mg of active substance and solid fat.
Ibuprofen ointment 5%
The drug is widely used as an external agent. Ointments and gels are produced in pure form or with the addition of cooling agents.
The ointment helps with arthritis, sprains, pain from damaged ligaments, back pain, sports injuries, and neuralgia.
How to use Ibuprofen ointment?
Usually the ointment is prescribed to adults and children over 14 years of age.
The dosage depends on the manufacturing company. A gel from 4 to 10 cm approximately contains 50 – 125 mg of the drug and this is a single dose. The product should be gently rubbed into the skin. Reapply no earlier than after 4 hours. The maximum daily dose is 500 mg.
Ibuprofen ointment
Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics
The effects of the drug are due to the suppression of Pg biosynthesis by inhibiting the COX enzyme.
Suppresses platelet . It has no effect on proteins that are involved in blood clotting. Slightly increases bleeding time.
When applied externally, the patient experiences a decrease in joint pain at rest and during movement; reducing morning stiffness, swelling and swelling of the joints, increasing flexibility and range of motion of the joints.
When taken orally, it is well (80%) absorbed into the gastrointestinal tract. Concomitant use with food slows down absorption, but does not affect its volume. TSmax - 2-4 hours.
The hypothermic effect develops 1 hour after administration. T1/2 - from 2 to 4 hours. Communication with plasma proteins is 90-99%.
It penetrates into the joint cavities slowly, lingers in the synovial tissue, where it accumulates in higher concentrations than in the plasma.
Achieving an anti-inflammatory effect requires from several days to 2 weeks of systematic use of the drug.
Biological activity is associated with the S-enantiomer.
After absorption, the pharmacologically inactive R-form (about 60%) is slowly transformed into the S-form. Metabolic products are excreted primarily by the kidneys and, partly, with bile. In its pure form, no more than 1% of ibuprofen is excreted.
The substance is not detected in breast milk. Complete removal occurs within 24 hours.
Side effect
- Like all medications, Ibuprofen can cause allergic reactions: skin itching, urticaria, Quincke's edema, anaphylactic reactions, incl. anaphylactic shock. In this case, you should stop taking the drug and consult a doctor.
- The following side effects may be observed on the part of the digestive system: pancreatitis, nausea, vomiting, erosive and ulcerative lesions of the gastrointestinal tract, stomach and abdominal pain, stomatitis, liver dysfunction, hepatitis.
- Genitourinary system: polyuria, renal dysfunction, renal failure, edema, cystitis, nephrotic syndrome, interstitial nephritis.
- Nervous system and sensory organs: irritation and dry eyes, ringing in the ears, hallucinations, psychomotor agitation, confusion, headaches, anxiety, irritability.
- Respiratory system: allergic rhinitis, bronchospasm, shortness of breath.
- Cardiovascular system: agranulocytosis, leukopenia, increased pulse, hypertension, heart failure.
Contraindications:
- Hypersensitivity to the components of the drug.
- Bleeding disorders, hemophilia.
- Hematopoietic disorders.
- Erosive and ulcerative lesions of the gastrointestinal tract in the acute stage, bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract.
- Kidney or liver failure.
- Severe heart failure.
- The period after coronary artery bypass surgery.
- “Aspirin triad” (aspirin intolerance, nasal polyps and bronchial asthma).
- Diseases of the optic nerve.
- Caution should be exercised when taking other NSAIDs.
- Simultaneous use of medication and alcoholic beverages is not recommended.
special instructions
- Ibuprofen is prescribed in a short course - three days. If therapy lasts 10 days or more, you should consult a doctor.
- Elderly patients need to carefully monitor the tolerability of the drug, as they are more likely to experience side effects.
- May temporarily reduce female reproductive function (the effect disappears after discontinuation).
- It may affect the ability to drive vehicles, so if the patient notices lethargy or drowsiness, he should refrain from driving vehicles and other activities where reaction speed is required.
Ibuprofen for children
Interaction with other drugs
Ibuprofen was created back in 1953 and is therefore well studied. Here we will briefly list its interactions with common drugs - this is mainly a group of cardiovascular drugs, some antibiotics. A complete list of drug interactions should be read in the instructions for the drug.
- Reduces the effect of ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers and some diuretics, such as furosemide.
- The effect may be enhanced when taken with anticoagulants.
- The activity of amlodipine decreases.
- Caution should be used when taking warfarin, methotrexate and lithium together.
- Interactions have been noted with cardiac glycosides, quinolone antibiotics, ethanol, barbiturates, rifampicin, phenylbutazone, cyclosporine, mifepristone, tacrolimus, zidovudine, cefoperazone, cefotetan, valproic acid.
Interaction
Drugs that induce microsomal oxidation increase the production of hydroxylated active metabolic products and thus increase the risk of developing serious hepatotoxic reactions. Drugs that inhibit microsomal oxidation, on the contrary, reduce it.
Ibuprofen reduces the sodium and diuretic activity of hydrochlorothiazide and Furosemide , the effectiveness of antihypertensive and uricosuric drugs (including ACE inhibitors and BMCC), and the antiplatelet and anti-inflammatory effects of ASA.
Potentiates the effect of antiplatelet agents, indirect anticoagulants, fibrinolytics, Insulin and oral forms of hypoglycemic drugs, ulcerogenic effect with bleeding of GCS and MCS.
Absorption of the drug is reduced in combination with cholestyramine and antacids. Caffeine enhances the analgesic effect . In combination with thrombolytics and anticoagulants, it increases the risk of bleeding.
Cefotetan , Cefoperazone , Cefamandole , Plicamycin and valproic acid prothrombin (clotting factor) deficiency
Myelotoxic drugs enhance the hematotoxicity of Ibuprofen. The drugs Au and Cyclosporine enhance the effect of the drug on the synthesis of Pg in the kidneys, resulting in increased nephrotoxicity. In turn, Ibuprofen increases the concentration of Cyclosporine in the blood plasma and its hepatotoxicity.
Drugs that block tubular secretion increase the concentration of ibuprofen in the blood plasma and reduce its excretion.
