Abstract

Ibuprofen is the NSAID most commonly used to treat mild-moderate pain, fever and inflammation in children, although dosage recommendations in infants aged 3–6 months still differ between countries. Based on the available evidence, the short-term use of ibuprofen to manage pain and fever appears to be effective and safe in infants aged 3–6 months who weigh C 5–6 kg. The dosage should be weight-based, with preference given to oral preparations. To minimize the risk of renal toxicity, it is important to ensure than the infant is adequately hydrated.

Further studies that examine the use of ibuprofen exclusively in patients aged 3–6 months are needed to determine the efficacy and optimal dosage of ibuprofen in this age group. Other areas that require study in children include the effect of ibuprofen administration with or after food on gastrointestinal AEs, the co-administration of proton pump inhibitors and ibuprofen during long-term NSAID therapy, the safety of prolonged usage of ibuprofen in children aged\2 years, and the safety of ibuprofen in combination with paracetamol for any duration of time.