What is Nurofen for Children Cold, Pain and Fever?
Nurofen for Children Cold, Pain, and Fever is a liquid medicine to ease symptoms of cold and flu in children aged 3 months and over. This medicine helps to ease pain, reduce inflammation, and bring down a high fever, perfect for when your little one has picked up a cold in the Winter. Nurofen for Children is available in both orange and strawberry flavours, so you can choose the one your kiddos like most, encouraging them to take their medicine when they need it.
How do I know if my child has a cold or the flu?
If your child has a cold or the flu, then there are a few symptoms you can look for that will tell you which illness it is. The easiest ways to tell them apart are to look for tummy problems, and severe exhaustion which makes them feel exhausted and unable to carry on as normal. If your child has either of those symptoms, then they probably have the flu rather than a cold. The symptoms that cold and flu share include:
- Headaches
- Muscle aches
- Sore throat
- Cough
- High temperature or fever
- Blocked or runny nose
- Sneezing
How can Nurofen help to ease my child’s cold and flu symptoms?
Nurofen can help to ease your child’s cold and flu symptoms because it contains an active ingredient called ibuprofen. Ibuprofen is a popular everyday painkiller, and it works as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), which means it changes how your body responds to pain. This helps to reduce pain, inflammation, and fever all at once, making it ideal for treating cold and flu symptoms like headaches, muscle aches, and high temperatures.
Can I give this product to my child if they’re taking any other medication?
If your child is taking any other medication, then you should speak to your doctor or pharmacist before giving them Nurofen for Children. They should not take Nurofen if they are already taking:
- Any other medicines which contain ibuprofen
- Any other NSAIDs, such as aspirin or naproxen
- Aspirin with a daily dose that is above 75mg
Make especially sure to speak to your doctor or pharmacist before giving your child this medicine if they are already taking:
- Diuretics, which help you to pass water
- Anticoagulants, or blood thinners, such as warfarin
- Medicines for high blood pressure, such as captopril, atenolol, and losartan
- Lithium, which is used for mood disorders
- Methotrexate, which is used for psoriasis, arthritis, and types of cancer
- Zidovudine, which is used for HIV
- Corticosteroids, which are anti-inflammatory drugs
- Cardiac glycosides, which are used for heart problems
- Ciclosporin or tacrolimus, which are used to prevent organ rejection after transplant
- Mifepristone, which is used to terminate pregnancy
- Quinolone antibiotics, which are used for infections
- SSRIs, which are antidepressants
- Antiplatelet drugs, e.g. dipyridamole, clopidogrel
Can adults take this medication?
Adults can take Nurofen for Children, but you should only do so if your doctor or pharmacist has said that it’s the best choice of medication for you. If they tell you to go ahead with this medicine, make sure to read the patient information leaflet carefully before use, as there are some extra warnings included which will apply to adults.
How to take this medicine
Before using this product, make sure the bottle cap is secured and then shake the bottle of medicine well. Remove the bottle cap and push the 5ml syringe included into the bottle neck. With the syringe firmly in place, turn the bottle upside down and gently pull down on the syringe’s plunger to measure out the amount of medicine you need. Once you’ve measured out a 5ml or 2.5ml dose, turn the bottle and syringe the right way up and remove the syringe from the bottle by twisting it. Place the end of the syringe into your child’s mouth, aiming between their cheek and gums, and gently push down on the plunger to give them their medicine. Pause to let them swallow a little at a time if necessary. Always wash the syringe and make sure the bottle cap is safely reapplied after each use.
How much Nurofen Cold, Pain and Fever should I give to my child?
You should use the following doses of Nurofen for Children, making sure that you leave at least 4 hours between each dose and do not take more than the recommended daily dose. This medicine is for short term use only.
Age |
Dose |
|
For post-immunisation fever |
|
|
Babies aged 3 months or older who weigh more than 5KG (11lbs) |
One 2.5ml dose. You can give a second 2.5ml dose after 6 hours, if necessary |
|
For fever, pain, and symptoms of cold and flu |
|
|
Babies aged 3 – 6 months who weigh more than 5KG (11lbs) |
One 2.5ml dose 3 times a day. Do not use for more than 24 hours. |
|
6 – 12 months |
One 2.5ml dose 3 or 4 times a day |
|
1 – 3 years |
One 5ml dose 3 times a day |
|
4 – 6 years |
One 7.5ml dose (2.5ml + 5ml) 3 times a day |
|
7 – 9 years |
One 10ml dose (5ml + 5ml) 3 times a day |
When should this product not be used?
Nurofen for Children Cold, Pain and Fever, is not suitable for children who are younger than 3 months old or weigh less than 5kg (11lbs). Do not give this product to your child if they are allergic to ibuprofen, aspirin or any other NSAIDs, or any of the other listed ingredients. Do not give this product to your child if they have:
- A stomach ulcer, perforation, or bleeding, or have had more than two episodes of these
- Severe kidney, liver, or heart failure
- An inherited intolerance to some sugars, specifically fructose/fruit sugar
- A history of stomach bleeding or perforation after taking ibuprofen or other NSAIDs
Speak to your doctor or pharmacist before giving your child this product if they:
- Have high blood pressure, heart problems, or a stroke
- Have a condition which may put them at risk of heart problems, e.g. diabetes, high cholesterol
- Have asthma or any allergic disease of the lungs
- Have or have had kidney, liver, heart, or bowel problems
- Are dehydrated
- Have Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
- Have a chronic inflammatory bowel disease, e.g. Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis
- Have chickenpox. You should avoid using this product if your child has chicken pox
Does this medication have any side effects?
Like all medication, Nurofen for Children Cold, Pain, and Fever can have side effects, although not everyone will experience them. If your child experiences any of the following side effects, stop use and seek immediate medical help:
- Blood in their stools (poo)
- Black, tarry stools
- Vomiting blood or dark particles that look like coffee grounds
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction, e.g. unexplained wheezing, asthma, shortness of breath, skin rash which may be blistering or peeling, itching, bruising, severe skin reactions (e.g. Stevens-Johnson syndrome), racing heart, fluid retention (e.g. swollen ankles, peeing less than usual), swelling of the face, tongue, or throat
- Stiff neck, headache, nausea, vomiting, fever, disorientation
- A severe skin reaction known as DRESS, showing symptoms such as skin rash, fever, swelling of lymph nodes, increase of eosinophils (a type of white blood cells)
If your child experiences any of the following side effects while using this product, stop use and speak to your doctor:
- Unexplained stomach pain, indigestion, heartburn, being sick, vomiting
- Signs of kidney or liver problems, e.g. yellowing of the eyes, pale stools, dark urine
- Severe sore throat with high fever
- Signs of anaemia or blood disorders, e.g. unexplained bruising or bleeding, tiredness, getting more infections than normal
- Headache
- Diarrhoea, wind, constipation
- Stroke or heart problems, although this is unlikely at the dose given to children
- Worsening of colitis or Crohn’s disease
- High blood pressure
- Stomach ulcer, bleeding of the stomach, inflammation of the stomach lining
- In exceptional cases, severe infection of the skin and soft tissues during chickenpox
For more information about reporting the side effects of medication, please see the MHRA’s Yellow Card Scheme.
How to store this product
Store in a cool, dry place which is below 25 degrees C. Do not use this product if the expiry date printed on the original packaging has passed. Keep out of sight and reach of children.
Important Information
This product is a medicine; make sure to speak to your doctor or Chemist 4 U pharmacist before taking this product if you have an underlying medical problem or are taking any other medicine or complementary therapy. If your symptoms get worse or continue after taking this product, contact us or your doctor. For medical services in your area, please refer to https://www.nhs.uk
If you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, speak to your doctor or our pharmacist before taking this product. If you suffer from any allergies, ask your doctor or our pharmacist if this medicine is right for you.
Store all medicines out of sight and reach of children.
Please read the included leaflet carefully before using this product.
Please contact your GP if appropriate regarding this product.
Helpful Advice on Medication Restrictions & Addiction
For further information on our medication restrictions policy, please click here.
If you are concerned about addiction to 'over the counter' medication, we urge you to visit the below links for professional help and advice:
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