Ibuprofen medicines under the Nurofen name are used for the relief of mild to moderate pain and for lowering a temperature. This page brings the range together in one place: standard 200mg tablets and 400mg tablets including Express, Rapid Relief liquid capsules, oral suspensions for children in strawberry and orange, soft chews for ages seven and over, a cold and flu tablet that contains a second active ingredient as well as ibuprofen, and a medicated plaster for targeted use on the skin.
Format usually decides the choice. Tablets and liquid capsules suit adults and older children who can swallow them, while the children's suspensions come with a syringe so a dose can be measured by age and weight. The 100mg/5ml suspension is labelled for younger children and the 6+ suspensions for older ones, and each carton and leaflet states the age and weight for every dose, so speak to our pharmacist before giving ibuprofen to an infant. Cold and flu tablets contain a decongestant as well as ibuprofen, so they are sold under pharmacist supervision and in limited quantities, and check the pack if you are already taking another cold or flu remedy. The medicated plaster is applied to intact skin rather than swallowed.
Ibuprofen is not suitable for everyone. It is avoided in some stomach, heart, kidney and asthma conditions, in late pregnancy, and alongside certain other medicines, so read the label and the patient information leaflet before use and keep to the stated dose and duration. Never take two products containing ibuprofen at the same time, and speak to our pharmacist if symptoms last more than a few days or you are unsure whether ibuprofen suits you. Our team at Leahy's Pharmacy in Tralee can help you compare the options, including for a child. Always read the label and the patient information leaflet before use. For paracetamol and other options, also see our pain relief range.
