Also from Answers.com... Overweight Children Healthy weight and your child.

To return to the main entry click here.

What do Ibuprofen chewable tablets do?

IBUPROFEN (Children's Motrin®, Junior Strength Motrin®, Children's Advil®, Junior Strength Advil®) is an anti-inflammatory drug. Ibuprofen reduces inflammation and helps ease mild to moderate pain. It relieves the symptoms of minor aches and pains, headaches, or toothaches. Ibuprofen chewable tablets also reduce fever, but these products are intended only for children who are 2—11 years of age. Generic ibuprofen chewable tablets are available.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

Ibuprofen chewable tablets are intended for use in children; however, some of the following conditions may only apply to adults.

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
• anemia
• asthma, especially aspirin sensitive asthma
• bleeding problems or taking medicines that make you bleed easily such as anticoagulants ('blood thinners')
• coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery within the past 2 weeks
• cigarette smoker
• diabetes
• drink more than 3 alcohol-containing beverages a day
• heart or circulation problems like angina, high blood pressure, heart failure, heart rhythm problems, history of heart attack, history of blood clots, or leg edema (fluid retention)
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• lost a lot of fluid due to continued vomiting or diarrhea
• stomach ulcers or pain
• history of stroke
• systemic lupus erythematosus
• ulcerative colitis
• an unusual or allergic reaction to ibuprofen, aspirin, other salicylates, other NSAIDs, other medicines, foods, dyes or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I take this medicine?

Chew ibuprofen chewable tablets thoroughly. Follow the directions on the label. Use the weight of your child to determine the dose if possible, otherwise use age. Do not give more than directed or for a longer time; doses should not be given more than 4 times a day. If ibuprofen causes stomach upset, it may be given with food.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of ibuprofen chewable tablets in children under 2 years of age. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What other medicines can interact with Ibuprofen?

• alcohol
• anti-inflammatory drugs (other NSAIDs, prednisone)
• aspirin and aspirin-like medicines
• cidofovir
• cyclosporine
• entecavir
• herbal products that contain feverfew, garlic, ginger, or ginkgo biloba
• lithium
• medicines for high blood pressure
• medicines that affect platelets
• medicines that treat or prevent blood clots such as warfarin and other 'blood thinners'
• methotrexate
• pemetrexed
• water pills (diuretics)

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What do I need to watch for while I take Ibuprofen?

Let your prescriber or health care professional know if your pain continues, do not take with other pain medicines or fever medicine without advice. In children, if the fever or pain gets worse, lasts for more than 3 days, or there is no relief of symptoms within the first day (24 hours), contact your health care provider. You may be covering up a more serious illness. If stomach pain or upset gets worse or continues, if redness or swelling occur in the painful area, or if new symptoms appear, contact your health care provider.

Severe or persistent sore throat or sore throat accompanied by high fever, nausea, and vomiting may be serious. Consult your health care provider promptly if your child has these symptoms. Do not use for more than 2 days or give to children under 3 years of age with these symptoms unless directed by your health care provider.

Discuss the use of this medicine with your health care provider if your child has not been drinking fluids, has lost a lot of fluid due to continued vomiting or diarrhea, has stomach pain, or has problems or serious side effects from taking fever reducers or pain medicine.

To reduce unpleasant effects on your throat and stomach, take ibuprofen with a full glass of water and never just before lying down. If you notice black, tarry stools or experience severe stomach pain and/or vomit blood or what looks like coffee grounds, notify your health care prescriber immediately.

You may get drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how ibuprofen affects you. Do not sit or stand up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells.

Do not smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol; these increase irritation to your stomach and can make it more susceptible to damage from ibuprofen.

If you are taking medicines that affect the clotting of your blood, such as aspirin or blood thinners such as Coumadin®, talk to your health care provider or prescriber before taking this medicine.

If you are going to have surgery, tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking ibuprofen. Problems can arise if you need dental work, and in the day to day care of your teeth. Try to avoid damage to your teeth and gums when you brush or floss your teeth.

It is especially important not to use ibuprofen during the last 3 months of pregnancy unless specifically directed to do so by your health care provider. Ibuprofen may cause problems in the unborn child or complications during delivery.

What side effects may I notice from taking Ibuprofen?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
• signs of bleeding - pinpoint red spots on the skin, black tarry stools, blood in the urine, unusual tiredness or weakness, vomiting blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
• signs of an allergic reaction - difficulty breathing, wheezing, skin rash, redness, blistering or peeling skin, hives, or itching, swelling of eyelids, throat, lips
• blurred vision
• change in the amount of urine passed
• difficulty swallowing, severe heartburn or burning, pain in throat
• pain or difficulty passing urine
• stomach pain or cramps
• swelling of feet or ankles
• yellowing of eyes or skin

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
• bruising
• diarrhea
• dizziness, drowsiness
• gas or heartburn
• headache
• nausea, vomiting

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

Store at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F). Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

Important Disclaimer: The drug information provided here is for educational purposes only. It is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the diagnosis, treatment and advice of a medical professional. This drug information does not cover all possible uses, precautions, side effects and interactions. It should not be construed to indicate that this or any drug is safe for you. Consult your medical professional for guidance before using any prescription or over the counter drugs.