Toothache in children can be very annoying and disturb their sleep and appetite. Ibuprofen is one of the common medicines prescribed to relieve toothache in children. In this article, as a **pediatric dental specialist**, we will thoroughly review ibuprofen, including how it works, proper dosage, side effects, how to take it, and its alternatives. What is children's ibuprofen for? Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) widely used to reduce pain, fever, and inflammation. This drug works by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins, substances that cause inflammation, pain and fever. Why is ibuprofen suitable for children's toothache? - **Pain reduction:** Ibuprofen effectively reduces toothache and helps your child feel more comfortable. - **Inflammation reduction:** This drug can help reduce inflammation around the painful tooth. - **Fever reduction:** If the toothache is accompanied by fever, ibuprofen can also help to reduce the fever. Ibuprofen side effects for children Like any medicine, ibuprofen can have side effects. Some common side effects include: - Stomach upset - Nausea - Vomiting - Dizziness - Drowsiness In rare cases, ibuprofen may cause serious allergic reactions. Call the doctor right away if your child has any allergic reaction after taking ibuprofen, such as swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, difficulty breathing, or hives. How to take ibuprofen - **With food:** To reduce the possibility of stomach upset, it is better to take ibuprofen with food or milk. - **Whole:** Swallow ibuprofen tablets whole and do not break or chew them. - **Drink enough water:** Drinking enough water helps to better absorb the medicine. **Ibuprofen alternatives for children's toothache** In some cases, ibuprofen may not be suitable for some children or cause side effects. In these cases, the doctor may prescribe other medications such as acetaminophen. **Acetaminophen:** This drug is also effective for reducing pain and fever, but it does not have anti-inflammatory properties. **NOTE:** Never give your child aspirin because aspirin can cause Reye's syndrome, which is a serious condition. **When should you see a doctor?** Call your doctor if you notice any of the following: - Your child's toothache is severe and is not relieved by taking medicine. - Your child has a high fever. - Your child has severe swelling in the mouth area. - Your child has signs of infection such as redness, swelling and pus. - Your child is allergic to ibuprofen or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. A child's toothache can be very annoying and disturb his sleep at night. Fortunately, there are several home remedies to temporarily relieve this pain. You can learn about these methods in the article "**10 home remedies to relieve a child's toothache**" published on our website. Cold compress, gum massage, use of aloe vera gel, etc. are fully explained. By reading this article, you can easily help your child experience less pain using natural ingredients. **But remember:** Although these methods can reduce the pain, but to treat the root of the problem and prevent possible complications, **referring to the dentist is necessary.** The dentist can diagnose the exact cause of the pain and prescribe the appropriate treatment. Before using any home remedy, be sure to consult your doctor or dentist to make sure it is safe for your child. If your child's toothache bothers you Your best option can be the office of Dr. Elham Tavaklian, a specialist in pediatric dentistry. - **Address: Afrika St. - Nelson Mandela (Jordan) - above Jahan Mozada Crossroad - Pedenar St. - Shahrouz Building - 2nd Floor - Unit 24** - - Drug interaction Ibuprofen drug interaction Ibuprofen, as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), interacts with some medications. These interactions can affect the effectiveness of the drug and cause side effects. Some of the most important drug interactions of ibuprofen are: Warfarin and other anticoagulants: Ibuprofen can increase the risk of bleeding. Antiplatelet drugs, such as aspirin, increase the risk of bleeding. - Corticosteroids: Increases the risk of gastric ulcers and bleeding. - **Lithium:** It increases the level of lithium in the blood and increases the risk of lithium poisoning. - **Blood pressure drugs:** May reduce the effect of blood pressure lowering drugs. - **Diuretic drugs:** May reduce the effect of diuretic drugs. - **Methotrexate:** increases the toxic effect of methotrexate. **Note:** This list is not complete and there may be other interactions. Be sure to consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medication. Ibuprofen effect duration The duration of the effect of ibuprofen depends on various factors, including the dosage, pharmaceutical form (pills, syrup), the age of the person and the underlying disease. In general, the analgesic and antipyretic effect of ibuprofen starts about 30 minutes to an hour after consumption and lasts for 4 to 6 hours. Its anti-inflammatory effect may be longer. ### Factors affecting the duration of ibuprofen effect - **Used dose:** Increasing the dose usually increases the duration of the effect. - **Pharmaceutical form:** Coated tablets may take longer to work than syrup. - **Consumption with food:** Taking ibuprofen with food can reduce its absorption rate and increase the duration of its effect. - **Kidney and liver diseases:** Kidney and liver diseases can affect the metabolism and excretion of ibuprofen and change the duration of its effect. - **Drug Interactions:** As previously mentioned, some drugs can affect the duration of ibuprofen's effect. ### Important points about taking ibuprofen - **Dosage:** Always take the dosage of ibuprofen as prescribed by your doctor or pharmacist. - **Duration of use:** Avoid long-term and arbitrary use of ibuprofen. - **Side effects:** If you see any side effects such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, stomach bleeding, sensitivity to light, skin rashes and shortness of breath, stop taking the medicine and contact your doctor. - **Drug interactions:** Before taking ibuprofen, tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking, including herbal medicines and supplements. Ibuprofen dosage for children **Ibuprofen dosage for children** varies depending on age, weight and severity of pain or fever. **Never change the dose of ibuprofen without consulting a doctor or pharmacist.** **Why is accurate dosage determination important?** - **Safety:** Ibuprofen overdose can cause serious side effects. - **Efficacy:** A low dose may not be effective enough to relieve pain or reduce fever. ### Factors affecting ibuprofen dose - **Age of the child:** Babies and young children need a lower dose. - **Child's weight:** Ibuprofen dosage is usually calculated based on the child's weight. - **Intensity of pain or fever:** In more severe cases, a higher dose may be needed. - **Type of formulation:** Ibuprofen is available in different forms such as syrup, drops and chewable tablets. Each has a different dosage. ### Important points about the use of ibuprofen for children - **Measurement accuracy:** Use a special medicine measuring cup and never use a regular teaspoon. - **Dosing frequency:** Ibuprofen can usually be taken every 6 to 8 hours, but do not exceed the maximum daily dose. - **Consumption with food:** To reduce stomach discomfort, it is better to take ibuprofen with food or milk. - **Side effects:** If your child experiences any side effects such as nausea, vomiting, skin rashes or drowsiness after taking ibuprofen, consult a doctor. ###

**Note:** This chart is only a guide and may not be suitable for all children. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medication.

### When should you see a doctor? - If your child's pain or fever does not improve with ibuprofen. - If your child is allergic to ibuprofen. - If your child has any serious side effects. **Note:** Ibuprofen can be an effective medicine to relieve toothache in children. However, before taking any medicine, be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure it is right for your child and that he is receiving the correct dose.

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