Ibuprofen 200mg/5ml Oral Suspension – patient leaflet, side effects, dosage

1. What this medicine is and what it is used for

The active ingredient (which makes this medicine work) is ibuprofen which belongs to a group of medicines called Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs). These medicines work by changing how the body responds to pain and high body temperature. This medicine is used in children from 7 to 12 years old for relief from rheumatic or muscular pain, headache, dental pain, feverishness, symptoms of cold and influenza.

This medicine is twice the strength of normal ibuprofen suspension, and you should be careful that you use the correct dose.

2. What you need to know before giving this medicine to your child

Signs of an allergic reaction to this medicine, including breathing problems, swelling of the face and neck region (angioedema), chest pain have been reported with ibuprofen. Immediately stop taking this medicine and contact your doctor or medical emergencies if you notice any of these signs.

Do not give this medicine to children who:

• are allergic to ibuprofen or other similar painkillers (NSAIDs) or to any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
• have ever suffered from shortness of breath, asthma, a runny nose, swelling on their face and/or hands or hives after using Aspirin or other similar painkillers (NSAIDs).
• have ever had a gastrointestinal bleeding or perforation, related to previous use of NSAIDs.
• currently have or have had recurrent stomach/duodenal ulcers (peptic ulcers) or bleeding (two or more episodes of proven ulceration and bleeding).
• have severe liver or severe kidney failure. • have severe heart failure.
• have bleeding of the brain (cerebrovascular bleeding) or other active bleeding.
• have unclarified blood formation disturbances.
• have severe dehydration (caused by vomiting, diarrhoea or insufficient fluid intake).

Do not take if you are in the last 3 months of pregnancy.

Adults, the elderly and children over 12 years:

• This medicine is for short-term use only.
• Take the lowest dose for the shortest time necessary.
• Do not take Ibuprofen for longer than 10 days.

If you do not get better, or get worse, talk to your doctor. They will tell you if it is safe to carry on taking the medicine.

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine if your child:

• has certain hereditary blood formation disorders (e.g., acute intermittent porphyria).
• suffers from coagulation disturbances.
• has certain diseases of the skin (systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or mixed connective tissue disease).
• has or has ever had bowel disease (ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease) as these conditions may be exacerbated (see section 4 ‘possible side effects’).
• has ever had or currently has high blood pressure and/or heart failure.
• has reduced kidney function.
• has liver disorders. In prolonged administration of this medicine regular checking of the liver values, the kidney function, as well as of the blood count, is required.
• is taking medicines which could increase the risk of ulceration or bleeding, such as oral corticosteroids (such as prednisolone), medicines for thinning the blood (such as warfarin), selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (a medicine for depression) or anti-platelet medicines (such as aspirin).
• is taking another NSAID medicine (including COX-2 inhibitors such as celecoxib or etoricoxib) as taking these together should be avoided (see section 'Other medicines and this medicine').
• has or has had asthma or allergic diseases as shortness of breath may occur.
• suffers from hay fever, nasal polyps or chronic obstructive respiratory disorders an increased risk of allergic reactions exists. The allergic reactions may present as asthma attacks (so-called analgesic asthma), Quincke’s oedema or urticaria.
• has just undergone major surgery as medical surveillance is required.
• is dehydrated as there is a risk of kidney problems in dehydrated children.
• has an infection. This medicine may hide signs of an infections such as fever and pain. It is therefore possible that this medicine may delay appropriate treatment of infection, which may lead to an increased risk of complications. This has been observed in pneumonia caused by bacteria and bacterial skin infections related to chickenpox. If you give this medicine to your child while they have an infection and their symptoms of the infection persist or worsen, consult a doctor without delay.
• During chicken pox (varicella) it is advisable to avoid use of this medicine.

Skin reactions

• Serious skin reactions including exfoliative dermatitis, erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), acute generalised exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) have been reported in association with ibuprofen treatment. Stop using this medicine and seek medical attention immediately, if you notice any of the symptoms related to these serious skin reactions described in section 4.

Other warnings

• Side effects may be minimised by using the minimum effective dose for the shortest duration.
• In general terms, the habitual use of (several sorts of) analgesics can lead to lasting severe kidney problems. The risk may be increased under physical strain associated with loss of salt and dehydration. Therefore, it should be avoided.
• Prolonged use of any type of painkiller for headaches can make them worse. If this situation is experienced or suspected, medical advice should be obtained, and treatment should be discontinued. The diagnosis of medication overuse headache (MOH) should be suspected in patients who have frequent or daily headaches despite (or because of) the regular use of headache medicines.
• Gastro-intestinal bleeding, ulceration or perforation, which can be fatal, has been reported with all NSAIDs at anytime during treatment, with or without warning symptoms or a previous history of serious gastro-intestinal events. When gastrointestinal bleeding or ulceration occurs, the treatment should be stopped immediately. The risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, ulceration or perforation is higher with increasing NSAID doses, in patients with a history of ulcer, particularly if complicated with haemorrhage or perforation (see section 2 'Do not take this medicine') and in the elderly. These patients should commence treatment on the lowest dose available. Combination therapy with protective medicines (e.g. misoprostol or proton pump inhibitors) should be considered for those patients, and also those requiring concomitant low-dose aspirin, or other medicines likely to increase gastrointestinal risk.
• Anti-inflammatory/pain-killer medicines like ibuprofen may be associated with a small increased risk of heart attack or stroke, particularly when used at high doses. Do not exceed the recommended dose or duration of treatment.
• If you are taking this medicine for longer than the recommended time or at higher than recommended doses you are at risk of serious harm. These include serious harm to the stomach/gut and kidneys, as well as very low levels of potassium in your blood. These can be fatal (see section 4).

You should discuss your treatment with your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine if you:

• have heart problems including heart failure, angina (chest pain), or if you have had a heart attack, bypass surgery, peripheral artery disease (poor circulation in the legs of feet due to narrow or blocked arteries), or any kind of stroke (including ‘mini-stroke’ or transient ischaemic attack 'TIA').
• have high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, have a family history of heart disease or stroke, or if you are a smoker.

Consult a doctor before using this medicine if any of the above mentioned conditions concern your child.

Elderly

The elderly have an increased risk of adverse events when taking NSAIDs, particularly those relating to the stomach and bowel. See section 4 ‘Possible side effects’ for more information.

Patients with a history of gastro-intestinal toxicity, particularly when elderly, should report any unusual abdominal symptoms (especially gastrointestinal bleeding) particularly in the initial stages of treatment

Other medicines and this medicine

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if your child is using or has recently used or might use any other medicines.

This medicine may affect or be affected by some other medicines. For example:

• medicines that are anti-coagulants (i.e. thin blood/prevent clotting e.g. aspirin/acetylsalicylic acid, warfarin, ticlopidine)
• medicines that reduce high blood pressure (ACE-inhibitors such as captopril, beta-blockers such as atenolol medicines, angiotensin-II receptor antagonists such as losartan). Some other medicines may also affect or be affected by the treatment this medicine. You should therefore always seek the advice of your doctor or pharmacist before you use this medicine with other medicines.

Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you or your child are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription. In particular, tell them if you or your child are taking:

• Other NSAIDs including COX-2 inhibitors – this may increase the risk of side effects.
• Digoxin (for heart insufficiency) - the effect of digoxin may be enhanced.
• Glucocorticoids medicines containing cortisone or cortisone-like substances) - this may increase the risk of gastrointestinal ulcers or bleeding.
• Anti-platelet medicines - this may increase the risk of bleeding.
• Aspirin (low dose) - the blood-thinning effect may be impaired.
• Medicines for thinning the blood (such as warfarin) - ibuprofen may enhance the effects of these medicines.
• Phenytoin (for epilepsy) - the effect of phenytoin may be enhanced.
• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (medicines used for depression) - these may increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding.
• Lithium (a medicine for manic depressive illness and depression) - the effect of lithium may be enhanced.
• Probenecid and sulfinpyrazones (medicines for gout) - the excretion of ibuprofen may be delayed.
• Medicines for high blood pressure and water tablets - ibuprofen may diminish the effects of these medicines and there could be a possible increased risk for the kidney.
• Potassium sparing diuretics e.g. amiloride, potassium canreoate, spironolactone, triamterene - this may lead to hyperkalaemia.
• Methotrexate (a medicine for cancer or rheumatism) - the effect of methotrexate may be enhanced.
• Tacrolimus and cyclosporine (immunosuppressive medicines) - kidney damage may occur.
• Zidovudine: (a medicine for treating HIV/Aids) - the use of this medicine may result in an increased risk of bleeding into a joint or a bleeding that leads to swelling in HIV (+) haemophiliacs.
• Sulfonylureas (antidiabetic medicines) - the blood sugar levels can be affected.
• Quinolone antibiotics - the risk for convulsions (fits) may be increased.
• Voriconazole and fluconazole (CYP2C9 inhibitors) used for fungal infections - the effect of ibuprofen may increase. Reduction of the ibuprofen dose should be considered, particularly when high-dose ibuprofen is administered with either voriconazole or fluconazole.
• Baclofen - Baclofen toxicity may develop after starting ibuprofen.
• Ritonavir – it may increase the plasma concentrations of NSAIDs.
• Aminoglycosides - NSAIDs may decrease the excretion of aminoglycosides.

This medicine with alcohol

You should not drink alcohol while using this medicine. Some side effects, such as those affecting the gastrointestinal tract or the central nervous system can be more likely when alcohol is taken at the same time as this medicine.

Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.

Pregnancy

Do not take this medicine if you are in the last 3 months of pregnancy as it could harm your unborn child or cause problems at delivery. It can cause kidney and heart problems in your unborn baby. It may affect your and your baby’s tendency to bleed and cause labour to be later or longer than expected. You should not take this medicine during the first 6 months of pregnancy unless absolutely necessary and advised by your doctor. If you need treatment during this period or while you are trying to get pregnant, the lowest dose for the shortest time possible should be used. If taken for more than a few days from 20 weeks of pregnancy onward, this medicine can cause kidney problems in your unborn baby that may lead to low levels of amniotic fluid that surrounds the baby (oligohydramnios) or narrowing of a blood vessel (ductus arteriosus) in the heart of the baby. If you need treatment for longer than a few days, your doctor may recommend additional monitoring.

Breast-feeding

Only small amounts of ibuprofen and its decomposition products pass into breast milk. This medicine may be used during breast-feeding, if it used at the recommended dose and for the shortest possible time.

Fertility

Ibuprofen belongs to a group of medicines which may affect fertility in women. Fertility goes back to normal when you stop taking the medicine. It is unlikely that if you only take Ibuprofen occasionally it will affect your chances of becoming pregnant. If you have problems becoming pregnant talk to your doctor before taking this medicine.

Low dose aspirin

Do not take if you are taking more than 75mg of aspirin a day. If you are on low-dose aspirin (up to 75mg daily) speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you take Ibuprofen suspension.

Gastrointestinal Effects:

If you get any of the following at any time during your treatment

STOP TAKING, and get medical help straight away:

• Pass blood in your stools or motions
• Pass black tarry stools or motions
• Vomit any blood or dark particles that look like coffee grounds

STOP TAKING and tell your doctor if you experience:

• Indigestion or heartburn
• Pains in your stomach (abdomen) or other abnormal stomach problems.

Driving and using machines

For short-term use this medicine has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines.

This medicine contains maltitol liquid and sodium benzoate

• Maltitol liquid: If you or your child have been told by your doctor that you or your child have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine or giving it to your child.

• Sodium: This medicine contains 2.96 mg of sodium (main component of common salt/table salt) per ml. This corresponds to 0.15 % of the maximum daily sodium intake recommended for an adult

  with the food.

• Sodium benzoate: This medicine contains 4 mg of sodium benzoate in each 1 mL, which is equivalent to 4 mg/mL.

3. How to use this medicine

Always use this medicine exactly as described in this leaflet, or as your doctor or pharmacist told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

This product is twice the strength of normal ibuprofen suspension, and you should be careful that you use the correct dose.

*Doses should be given approximately every 6 to 8 hours. Leave at least 4 hours between doses. Do not give more than the recommended dose in 24 hours.

Not intended for children under 7 years old and weighing less than 20 kg.

WARNING: Do not exceed the stated dose.

Use with the enclosed application syringe for oral preparation

• Shake the bottle well/vigorously.
• Remove the cap by pressing it down and turning it anticlockwise.
• Insert the enclosed adapter into the neck of the bottle before first use. The adapter remains in the bottle when it is closed.
• Insert the application syringe into the adapter opening so that it is firmly fits to the adapter.
• To fill the application syringe, turn the bottle upside down. Hold the application syringe firmly and pull the plunger down gently to draw up the suspension up to the mark corresponding to the dose.
• Turn the bottle around again and remove the application syringe from the neck of the bottle by gently turning the application syringe.
• To administer the liquid, keep the end of the application syringe in your child's mouth. Then slowly push the plunger into the syringe barrel to empty the application syringe. Adjust to your child's swallowing speed. Close the bottle again after use.
• Rinse the application syringe carefully with warm water and then dry it.

Duration of treatment

This medicine is for short-term use only. The lowest effective dose should be used for the shortest duration necessary to relieve symptoms. If your child has an infection, consult a doctor without delay if symptoms (such as fever and pain) persist or worsen (see section 2). If this medicine is required for more than 3 days or if symptoms worsen, a doctor should be consulted.

If you use more of this medicine than you should:

Or if children have taken this medicine by accident always contact a doctor or nearest hospital to get an opinion of the risk and advice on action to be taken.

The symptoms can include nausea, stomach pain, vomiting (may be blood streaked), or more rarely diarrhoea. In addition, headache, gastrointestinal bleeding, blurred vision, ringing in the ear, confusion and shaky eye movement, and exacerbation of asthma in asthmatics. At high doses, drowsiness, excitation, disorientation, chest pain, palpitations, loss of consciousness, coma convulsions (mainly in children), vertigo, weakness and dizziness, blood in urine, low blood pressure, hyperkalaemia, metabolic acidosis, increased prothrombin time/INR, acute renal failure, liver damage, respiratory depression, cyanosis, cold body feeling, and breathing problems have been reported.

If you or your child forget to take this medicine:

Do not take a double dose to make up for the forgotten dose. If you do forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember and then take the next dose according to the dose interval detailed above.

If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine ask your doctor or pharmacist.

4. Possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Side effects may be minimised by taking the lowest dose for the shortest time necessary to relieve the symptoms.

Although side effects are uncommon, your child may get one of the known side effects of NSAIDs. If they do, or if you have concerns, stop giving this medicine to your child and talk to your doctor as soon as possible.

Elderly people using this medicine are at increased risk of developing problems associated with side effects.

STOP USING this medicine and seek immediate medical help if your child develops:

• signs of intestinal bleeding such as: severe pain in the abdomen, black tarry stools, vomiting blood or dark particles that look like coffee grounds.
• signs of rare but serious allergic reaction such as worsening of asthma, unexplained wheezing or shortness of breath, swelling of the face, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing, racing heart, drop in blood pressure leading to shock. These can happen even on first use of this medicine. If any these symptoms occur, call a doctor at once.
• severe skin reactions such as reddish non-elevated, target-like or circular patches on the trunk, often with central blisters, skin peeling, ulcers of mouth, throat, nose, genitals and eyes. These serious skin rashes can be preceded by fever and flu-like symptoms [exfoliative dermatitis, erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis].
• A severe skin reaction known as DRESS (Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms) syndrome can occur. Symptoms of DRESS include: skin rash, fever, swelling of lymph nodes and an increase of eosinophils (a type of white blood cells).
• A red, scaly widespread rash with bumps under the skin and blisters mainly localised on the skin folds, trunk, and upper extremities accompanied by fever at the initiation of treatment (acute generalised exanthematous pustulosis) (frequency not known) See also section 2.

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side-effects, although not everybody gets them. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any of the following:

• Liver, kidney problems or difficulty urinating

This medicine, especially when taken at higher than recommended doses or for a prolonged period of time, can cause damage to your kidneys and affect them removing acids properly from your blood into the urine (renal tubular acidosis). It can also cause very low levels of potassium in your blood (see section 2). This is a very serious condition and will require immediate treatment. Signs and symptoms include muscle weakness and light-headedness.

Tell your doctor if your child has any of the following side effects, they become worse or you notice any effects not listed.

Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)

• Stomach and intestinal complaints such as as acid burn, stomach pain and nausea, indigestion, diarrhoea, vomiting, flatulence (wind) and constipation and slight blood losses in stomach and/or bowel that may cause anaemia in exceptional cases

Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)

• gastrointestinal ulcers, perforation or bleeding, inflammation of the mucous membrane of the mouth with ulceration, worsening of existing bowel disease (colitis or Crohn’s disease), gastritis
• headache, dizziness, sleeplessness, agitation, irritability or tiredness
• visual disturbances
• various skin rashes
• hypersensitivity reactions with hives and itch

Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1000 people)

• tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• increased urea concentrations in blood, pain in the flanks and/or the abdomen, blood in the urine and a fever may be signs of damage to kidneys (papillary necrosis)
• increased uric acid concentrations in the blood
• decreased haemoglobin levels

Very rare (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people)

• oesophagitis, pancreatitis, and formation of intestinal diaphragm-like strictures
• heart failure, heart attack and swelling in the face or hands (oedema)
• passing less urine than normal and swelling (especially in patients with high blood pressure or reduced kidney function), swelling (oedema) and cloudy urine (nephrotic syndrome); inflammatory kidney disease (interstitial nephritis) that may lead to acute kidney failure. If one of the above-mentioned symptoms occur or if you have a general miserable feeling, stop taking this medicine and consult your doctor immediately as these could be first signs of a kidney damage or kidney failure.
• Psychotic reactions, depression • high blood pressure, vasculitis
• palpitations
• liver dysfunction, damage to the liver (first signs could be discoloration of the skin), especially during long-term treatment, liver failure, acute inflammation of the liver (hepatitis)
• problems in the blood cell production - first signs are: fever, sore throat, superficial mouth ulcers, flu-like symptoms, severe exhaustion, nose and skin bleeding and unexplained bruising. In these cases you must stop the therapy immediately and consult a doctor. Any self-treatment with pain killers or medicinal products that reduce fever (antipyretic medicinal products) mustn’t be done.
• severe skin infections and soft tissue complications during chicken pox (varicella) infection
• worsening of infection-related inflammations (e.g. Necrotising fasciitis) associated with the use of certain painkillers (NSAIDs) has been described. If signs of an infection occur or get worse, you must go to the doctor without delay. It is to be investigated whether there is an indication for an anti-infective/antibiotic therapy
• symptoms of aseptic meningitis with stiff neck, headache, nausea, vomiting, fever or clouding of consciousness have been observed when using ibuprofen. Patients with autoimmune disorders (SLE, mixed connective tissue disease) may be more likely to be affected. Contact a doctor at once, if these occur
• severe forms of skin reactions such as skin rash with redness and blistering (e.g. Stevens-Johnson syndrome, erythema multiforme, toxic epidermal necrolysis/Lyell’s syndrome), hair loss (alopecia)

Not known: (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data)

• Respiratory tract reactivity comprising asthma, bronchospasm or dyspnoea.
• Chest pain, which can be a sign of a potentially serious allergic reaction called Kounis syndrome.
• Skin becomes sensitive to light Medicines such as this may be associated with a small increased risk of heart attack (myocardial infarction) or stroke.

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. How to store this medicine

Keep this medicine out of reach of children.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the outer packaging and the label after “EXPIRY DATE” or “EXP”. The expiry date refers to the last day of that specified month.

No special storage conditions are required for this medicinal product.

After opening, ibuprofen syrup for fever and pain relief for children has a shelf life of 3 months.

Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.

6. Contents of pack and other information

What this medicine contains

The active ingredient is Ibuprofen 200 mg per 5 ml.

The other excipients are:

Maltitol solution (E 965), citric acid monohydrate (E 330), sodium citrate (Ph.Eur.) (E 331), saccharin sodium (Ph.Eur.) (E 954), polysorbate 80 (E 433), sodium chloride, glycerol (E 422), xanthan gum (E 415), sodium benzoate (E 211) and orange flavor (contains maltodextrin, natural and nature-identical flavorings and all-rac-α-tocopherol)

How ibuprofen syrup for fever and pain relief for children looks like and content of the pack

Ibuprofen oral suspension is an off-white-coloured syrupy suspension with orange flavour.

It is available in a brown bottle with a child-resistant cap.

One bottle contains 100 ml oral suspension.

Each pack contains a graduated 5 ml application syringe for oral preparations (PP) and an adapter (LDPE). Graduation at 1.25 ml, 2.5 ml, 3.75 ml, and 5 ml graduation.

Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer

Strides Pharma UK Limited

The Metro Centre

Dwight Road, Watford

WD18 9SS

United Kingdom

PL 13606/0343

This leaflet was last revised in 11/03/2026