Common Ingredients used in children's medicines

Pain reliever explained

As a parent you want to help ease your child’s pain, but you also want to give them medicine that you trust. Medicine that’s effective and deals with pain fast. Here you’ll discover more about some common ingredients used in medicines like Nurofen for Children.

Common ingredients

What are some of the common types of ingredients used in children’s medicines? And how do they work?

Ibuprofen

Paracetamol

A good option for children? Ibuprofen is what's known as a NSAID (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug) and works by changing the body's response to high temperature, pain and swelling. It blocks the action of a substance called cyclooxygenase which is involved in the production of prostaglandins (the chemicals that cause pain, swelling and inflammation in the tissues of the body). Ibuprofen is an effective pain reliever. It's the active ingredient in Nurofen for Children (which is suitable for babies from 3 months, over 5kg). *Nurofen for Children goes straight to the source of the fever, where it helps to adjust the controls of your baby's little thermostat, helping to reduce temperatures higher than 39.2°C. It also reduces fever for up to 8 hours. What can it be used for? Sprains and strains, toothache, teething pains, headaches, fever, earache, the symptoms of cold and flu.

A good option for children? Paracetamol is a good choice for easing childhood pain and bringing a temperature down. It's gentle on the tummy, making some brands suitable from 1 month onwards. It appears to work by inhibiting an enzyme produced in the brain and spinal cord (COX-3), which is involved in the transmission of pain. What can it be used for? It is good for toothaches, headaches, fever, the symptoms of cold & flu and general pains.