A general overview of the use of ibuprofen in paediatrics.

Ibuprofen is prescribed for children for the treatment of acute pain and fever, and for juvenile idiopathic arthritis. The pharmacokinetic characteristics of ibuprofen in children are similar to those in adults and the relationship between dose and response is linear over the range 5-10 mg/kg. Clinical trials of ibuprofen have shown the effective dose range to be 7.5-10 mg/kg. The maximum reduction in temperature occurs 3-4 hours after administration. In comparative clinical trials, ibuprofen has been shown to be equally as effective as or more effective than paracetamol as an analgesic and antipyretic and to have a longer duration of action; it is also as effective as aspirin. The adverse effects of ibuprofen are similar to those of other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs but clinical experience suggests that ibuprofen is better tolerated by children than adults and it is safer in overdose than paracetamol and aspirin.