Although you’ve probably heard a lot about ibuprofen, you probably don’t really know what this drug is. It is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that can also act as an antipyretic and analgesic, acting in the body by blocking the production and secretion of chemicals responsible for the sensation of pain and inflammation.
Ibuprofen is recommended for many ailments for its analgesic effect, being an ideal drug to treat headache or toothache, but it is also an ideal drug to relieve inflammation of the tonsils, pharynx and any other wound or injury But does ibuprofen lower fever? Find out the answer to this question in this FastlyHealarticle.
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Does ibuprofen lower a fever?
Yes, ibuprofen lowers fever , in fact it is an ideal drug to treat fever, especially in children, since it acts in the body very quickly, offering its effect 30 minutes after consuming the first stage. In addition, this drug provides a longer action than the rest of the antipyretics on the market, since it allows to control fever, pain and inflammation for up to six hours.
Ibuprofen is an NSAID, that is, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory that acts in the body by inhibiting the enzyme cyclooxygenase and its mechanism activates the production of salicylate, a substance responsible for offering the antipyretic effect that makes this drug can lower fever. However, it is important to note that both ibuprofen and any other NSAID drug are intended to alleviate the symptoms of fever and the diseases that cause it, but they do not exert a direct action in the cure of the disease, so it is necessary to know the cause of the elevation of the temperature to be able to cure the affection properly.
Ibuprofen is not only effective and long-acting to treat fever, it is also indicated to improve toothaches, headaches, and muscle aches. It is prescribed as an ideal drug to alleviate ailments after a surgical intervention and to reduce inflammation of lesions and joints compromised by arthritis. In some very specific cases, ibuprofen is prescribed to improve the inflammation of pimples caused by acne.
What is the dose of ibuprofen to treat fever
Now that we know that ibuprofen lowers fever, it is important to know the recommended doses in the case of children and adults, since like any other medicine, it must be administered with due care to avoid that its excessive consumption ends up wreaking havoc on the body.
Recommended dose of ibuprofen in children
Ibuprofen can be taken in syrup or in the form of chewable capsules. To administer the appropriate dose, it is necessary to take into account the weight of the child and the amount of ibuprofen in each tablet, information that can be found on the labels of the medicines. When it comes to syrups it is important to have a syringe or measuring container to calculate the prescribed dose. Likewise, ibuprofen should not be given to children under six months of age and the consumption of this medicine should be consulted with the doctor in children under two years of age or who weigh less than 5 kg (12 pounds).
Children who weigh between 5.5 and 7.5 kg ( 12 and 17 pounds ):
- In the case of drops of 50 mg / 1.25 mL, the dose should be 1.25 ml.
- In the case of syrups of 100 mg per teaspoon, the dose should be 3/4 of a teaspoon.
- In the case of syrup that says 100 mg / 5 mL, the dose should be 4 ml.
Children weighing between 8 and 10 kg ( 18 and 23 pounds ) :
- In the case of drops of 50 mg / 1.25 mL, the dose should be 1.875 ml.
- In the case of syrups of 100 mg per teaspoon, the dose should be 1/2 teaspoon.
- In the case of syrup that says 100 mg / 5 mL, the dose should be 2.5 ml.
Children weighing 24 to 35 pounds ( 10.9 to 15.8 kg ):
- In the case of drops of 50 mg / 1.25 mL, the dose should be 2.5 ml.
- In the case of syrups of 100 mg per teaspoon, the dose should be 1 teaspoon.
- In the case of syrup that says 100 mg / 5 mL, the dose should be 5 ml.
- In the case of 50 mg chewable tablets, the dose is 2 tablets.
Children weighing 36 to 47 pounds ( 16.3 to 21.3 kg ):
- In the case of drops of 50 mg / 1.25 mL, the dose should be 3.75 ml.
- In the case of syrups of 100 mg per teaspoon, the dose should be 1 teaspoon and a half.
- In the case of syrup that says 100 mg / 5 mL, the dose should be 7.5 ml.
- In the case of 50 mg chewable tablets, the dose is 3 tablets.
If the child weighs between 21.8 to 26.8 kg ( 48 and 59 pounds ):
- In the case of drops of 50 mg / 1.25 mL, the dose should be 5 ml.
- In the case of syrups of 100 mg per teaspoon, the dose should be 2 teaspoons.
- In the case of syrup that says 100 mg / 5 mL, the dose should be 10 ml.
- In the case of 50 mg chewable tablets, the dose is 4 tablets.
- In the case of low strength 100 mg tablets, the dose should be 2 tablets.
Children weighing between 27.2 to 32.2 kg ( 60 and 71 pounds ):
- For syrups of 100 mg per teaspoon, the dose should be 2 1/2 teaspoons.
- In the case of syrup that says 100 mg / 5 mL, the dose should be 12.5 ml.
- In the case of 50 mg chewable tablets, the dose is 5 tablets.
- In the case of low strength 100 mg tablets, the dose should be 2 and a half tablets.
Children weighing between 32 to 43 kg ( 72 and 5 pounds ):
- In the case of syrups of 100 mg per teaspoon, the dose should be 3 teaspoons.
- In the case of syrup that says 100 mg / 5 mL, the dose should be 15 ml.
- In the case of 50 mg chewable tablets, the dose is 6 tablets.
- In the case of low strength 100 mg tablets, the dose should be 3 tablets.
Children weighing 96 pounds ( 43 kg ) or more:
- In the case of syrups of 100 mg per tablespoon, the dose should be 4 teaspoons.
- In the case of syrup that says 100 mg / 5 mL, the dose should be 20 ml.
- In the case of 50 mg chewable tablets, the dose is 8 tablets.
- In the case of low strength 100 mg tablets, the dose should be 4 tablets.
Recommended dose of ibuprofen to reduce fever in adults
Ibuprofen can be found by prescription or over-the-counter. In the case of the first modality, it is usually mixed with other medications and is indicated for certain pathologies:
- Every 3-4 four times a day to treat arthritis.
- Every 4 to 6 hours to treat pain.
Over-the-counter ibuprofen is available in tablets, syrup, chewable tablets, and drops, generally adults prefer to take the tablet form.
- Every 4 to 6 hours to relieve pain and fever.
Ibuprofen in adults as an anti-inflammatory: 1,200 – 1,800 mg per day administered in various doses. Daily medication should not exceed 2,400 mg of ibuprofen.
Ibuprofen as an analgesic and antipyretic: between 400 and 600 mg every 4 or 6 hours.
Ibuprofen to reduce menstrual pain: between 400 and 600 mg every 4 or 6 hours. For best effect, take when pain begins or before PMS symptoms begin as a preventive method.
For fever: ibuprofen or paracetamol
In cases of fever, many studies have compared the effect of ibuprofen with that of paracetamol and although both drugs respond well to high body temperatures, ibuprofen acts more quickly and efficiently when it comes to infant fever, while paracetamol offers a more powerful antipyretic effect in adults. There are those who advise taking acetaminophen for fever and ibuprofen to heal pain, but the latter is as capable as the former to exert a successful antipyretic function.
Recommendations when consuming ibuprofen to lower fever
- Tell your treating physician if you are allergic to aspirin or similar medications before taking ibuprofen.
- Before taking ibuprofen it is recommended to review the interaction of this NSAID with other medications.
- Ibuprofen should not be combined with other pain relievers.
- Pregnant women should not consume ibuprofen without consulting with their doctor.
- It is important to take the ibuprofen dose at the same time to ensure its effect.
- Exceeding the recommended dose can cause serious damage to health.
- It is important to take ibuprofen on a full stomach to avoid an upset stomach.
- It is advisable to crush the chewable tablets so that children can consume them more easily. This version of ibuprofen can cause irritation in the mouth.
Ibuprofen side effects
Contraindication alert!
It has been proven that people who regularly consume anti-inflammatory NSAIDs have a higher risk of suffering from heart disease, cardiovascular accidents and strokes than those who do not consume these types of medicines. Therefore, prolonged consumption of ibuprofen is not recommended, nor is its intake recommended in people who have some type of disease of the cardiovascular system or who have had a heart attack in the past.
NSAIDs can also cause ulcers, bleeding and perforation of the stomach or intestine during their consumption and without any previous symptoms. Consuming alcoholic beverages while taking ibuprofen, being elderly, and mixing NSAIDs with other medications such as antidepressants are factors that can increase the risk of this complication.
The side effects of ibuprofen are :
- Constipation.
- Diarrhea.
- Abdominal distension.
- Ringing in the ears
- Gases.
- Dizziness
- Nervousness.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
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
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.