Relief of pain and fever. NUROFEN® for Children SUGAR FREE is used for relieving symptoms of fever, mild to moderate pain and inflammation, associated with cold and flu symptoms, a sore throat, earache, headache, toothache and minor muscular aches and sprains.
1 WHAT NUROFEN® FOR CHILDREN SUGAR FREE IS AND WHAT IT IS USED FOR
2 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU USE NUROFEN® FOR CHILDREN SUGAR FREE:
Do not give NUROFEN® FOR CHILDREN SUGAR FREE to your child:
- If your child is hypersensitive (allergic) to ibuprofen, aspirin, any other anti-inflammatory medicines or any of the other ingredients of NUROFEN for Children SUGAR FREE.
- If your child has a history of stomach ulcers, ulcers of the small intestines or heart disease. In case of pregnancy, in the third trimester.
- If your child has heart disease or ailment.
- If your child has severe kidney or liver impairment.
- If your child has porphyria.
- If your child is also taking lithium (lithium is medicine commonly used to manage mood disorders).
- If your child is also taking digoxin (digoxin is medicine used to manage heart diseases).
- If your child is less than 12 months old.
Take special care with NUROFEN® for Children SUGAR FREE:
- If your child has asthma or suffers from breathing difficulties.
- If your child suffers from abnormal bleeding, heart, liver or kidney disease.
- If your child is taking any of the following medicines: Aspirin or other anti-inflammatory medicines.
- Medicines for thinning the blood (e.g. warfarin and coumarin anticoagulants).
- Medicines for high blood pressure (e.g. medicines to eliminate excess water - diuretics).
- Methotrexate (anti-cancer medication).
- If your child complains of blurred vision or other visual changes, you should stop giving your child NUROFEN® for Children SUGAR FREE.
- If your child suffers from a skin condition called systemic lupus erythematosus or mixed connective tissue disease.
- If your child has high blood pressure.
Whilst using NUROFEN® FOR CHILDREN SUGAR FREE:
- At the first sign of any skin reaction (rash, peeling, blistering) or other sign of an allergic reaction, stop using NUROFEN® FOR CHILDREN SUGAR FREE and consult a doctor at once.
- Report any unusual abdominal symptoms (especially bleeding) to your doctor.
- If you do not get better, you get worse, or develop new symptoms, talk to a doctor.
- Medicines such as NUROFEN® FOR CHILDREN SUGAR FREE may be associated with an increased risk of heart attack or stroke. Any risk is more likely with higher doses or prolonged treatment. Do not exceed the recommended dose or duration of treatment (see section 3).
3 HOW TO TAKE NUROFEN® for Children SUGAR FREE
Do not share medicines prescribed for you or your child with any other person. Always use NUROFEN® FOR CHILDREN SUGAR FREE exactly as described in the leaflet or your doctor, pharmacist or nurse has told you. Check with your doctor, pharmacist or nurse if you are not sure. Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible duration of treatment.
Children: Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible duration of treatment. Do not give NUROFEN® for Children SUGAR FREE to children under one year unless at the advice of doctor. The usual dose is:
| Age | Body weight | Daily dosage in 5 ml spoonful |
|---|---|---|
| 1 – 2 years | 7 to 12 kg | 2,5 ml (half a teaspoon) 3 to 4 times daily |
| 3 – 7 years | 14 to 23 kg | 2,5 to 5 ml (half a teaspoon to 1 teaspoon) 4 to 4 times daily |
| 8 – 12 years | 25 to 40 kg | 10 ml (two teaspoons) 3 to 4 times daily |
| Adults and children aged ≥ 12 | Above 40 kg | 10 to 20 ml (two to four teaspoons) 3 to 4 times daily |
Using the 5 ml easy dosing syringe:
- Push the syringe firmly into the plug (hole) in the neck of the bottle.
- Shake the bottle well.
- To fill the syringe, turn the bottle upside down. Whilst holding the syringe in place, gently pull the plunger down drawing the liquid to the correct mark on the syringe.
- Turn the bottle the right way up and remove the syringe from the plug and bottle by gently twisting the syringe.
- Place the end of the syringe in the child's mouth. Press the syringe plunger slowly to release the medicine.
- After use replace the cap. Wash the syringe in warm water and leave to dry, store out of reach of children.
If your child receives more NUROFEN® for Children SUGAR FREE than they should:
- The most likely symptoms of overdosage are stomach pain, nausea (feeling sick), vomiting and dizziness.
- In the event of overdosage, consult your doctor or pharmacist. If neither is available, seek help at the nearest hospital or poison control center.
If you forget to give your child NUROFEN® for Children SUGAR FREE:
- If your child misses a dose of this medicine, give it to your child as soon as you remember. Give any remaining doses for that day at evenly spaced intervals. Do not give a double dose to make up for forgotten individual doses.
4 POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS
NUROFEN® for Children SUGAR FREE can have side effects. Not all side effects reported for NUROFEN® for Children SUGAR FREE are included in this leaflet. Should your child's general health worsen while taking NUROFEN® for Children SUGAR FREE, please consult your doctor, pharmacist or other health care professional for advice.
If any of the following happens, stop taking NUROFEN® FOR CHILDREN SUGAR FREE and tell your doctor immediately or go to the casualty department at your nearest hospital:
- Anaphylaxis, indicated by swelling of mouth, throat and face or limbs, and inability to breathe.
- Asthma or worsening of your asthma.
- Allergic reactions such as rash, hives, itchy skin.
- DRESS syndrome: life-threatening reaction which may resemble a flu-like infection, other signs may include rash, facial swelling, abdominal pain and abnormal heartbeat.
- Severe skin reactions like Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis: these are indicated by fever and body aches, painful/reddish rash on the skin, mouth, throat and/or genitals followed by blistering.
- Severe low blood pressure (can be indicated by fainting or loss of consciousness).
These are all very serious side effects. If you have them, you may have had a serious reaction to NUROFEN FOR CHILDREN SUGAR FREE. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation.
Tell your doctor immediately or go to the casualty department at your nearest hospital if you notice any of the following:
- Less frequent side effects:
- Blood disorders, this can make you prone to opportunistic illnesses, bruising easily and being prone to bleeding. First signs are fever, sore throat, superficial mouth ulcers, flu-like symptoms, severe exhaustion, unexplained bleeding and bruising.
- Aseptic meningitis (inflammation of the brain): signs include stiff neck, headache, nausea, vomiting, fever or disorientation.
- High blood pressure.
- Vomiting blood.
- Painful ulcers in the stomach and mouth.
- Bleeding in the gut.
- Liver disease (may be indicated by tummy pain and yellowing of the eyes and skin).
Side effects with unknown frequencies:
- Heart disease: may be indicated by chest pain, fatigue, leg swelling and/or shortness of breath.
- Kidney disease: signs may include reduced urine output, nausea and swelling of feet/legs and ankles.
These are all serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention.
Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following:
- Less frequent side effects:
- Skin rash.
- Abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhoea (runny tummy), flatulence, indigestion, constipation, vomiting, black or tarry stools.
Side effects with unknown frequencies:
- Photosensitivity reactions.
If you notice any side effects not mentioned in this leaflet, please inform your doctor or pharmacist.
Reporting of side effects: If you get side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. You can also report side effects to SAHPRA via the “6.04 Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Form”, found online under SAHPRA’s publications: https://www.sahpra.org.za/Publications/Index/8. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of NUROFEN® FOR CHILDREN SUGAR FREE.
5 HOW TO STORE NUROFEN® for Children SUGAR FREE
Store at or below 25 °C. Store all medicines out of reach of children. Do not refrigerate / freeze. Keep well closed and protect from light.