Introduction
Nurofen® is a drug containing the active ingredient ibuprofen. Nurofen® is available in pharmacies without a prescription and is mainly used to treat pain and inflammation. Nurofen® is often used for mild to moderate pain (toothache, headaches, menstrual cramps) and can also be used to reduce fever.
For mild to moderate migraine attacks with or without aura, Nurofen® is sometimes also one of the first choice remedies (including naproxen, diclofenac, paracetamol). The active ingredient ibuprofen belongs to the group of so-called non-steriodal anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs. This means that Nurofen® can also be used effectively against inflammation, for example to relieve severe to very severe pain in joint inflammation.
Here Nurofen® is used particularly for inflammatory rheumatic diseases (“rheumatism“), which cause joint inflammation, such as arthrosis, gout, rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis (inflammatory spinal disease). But Nurofen® with the active ingredient Ibuprofen can also provide relief from painful, rheumatic inflammation of muscles and organs. Other areas of application include pain from strains and sprains, earaches and symptoms of colds and flu.
Nurofen® can be used in older babies and children. The effects of Nurofen® can be explained by the mechanism of action of ibuprofen: Ibuprofen inhibits certain enzymes in the body (cyclooxygenases I and II, COX-1 and COX-2), which are necessary in the organism for the formation of tissue hormones (prostaglandins). As these tissue hormones are responsible for pain, blood clotting, fever and inflammation, this explains the analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effect of Nurofen®. However, undesirable effects such as stomach bleeding can also be explained by the anticoagulant effect (wound closure) of ibuprofen. However, the risk of this is much lower than with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA, Aspirin®).
Dosage and method of use
Nurofen® can be administered through many different routes. It can be administered orally as tablets or juice or rectally as suppositories. The respective dosage of Nurofen® should follow the doctor’s instructions and depends on the age and body weight of the person concerned.
In small doses (200 to 400 milligrams for adults) Nurofen® has a mainly analgesic and antipyretic effect. Higher doses (up to 800 milligrams for adults) are necessary for the additional anti-inflammatory effect. When used orally, the maximum single dose of ibuprofen should not exceed 800 milligrams and the maximum daily dose between 1200 and 2400 milligrams within 24 hours.
This applies to adults and adolescents aged fifteen years and older. It is recommended to take Nurofen® during a meal as it reduces the risk of stomach problems. In children and also in patients with severe liver dysfunction the dose is adjusted.
For children with a body weight between 20 and 40 kilograms, the maximum daily dose is 20 to 30 milligrams of ibuprofen. This dose should not be exceeded and should be divided into individual doses with a time interval of six to eight hours. Nurofen® can be used as a fever or painkiller in children aged 6 months and older. The dosage is stated in the package insert or can be obtained from the doctor or pharmacist and should not be exceeded. If symptoms persist for more than three to four days despite the use of Nurofen®, a doctor should be consulted.