How bad exactly is nurofen?

[Janesmum123]

So bubs is very sick cold and teeth all in one.

Anyway the panadol seems to be doing nothing but nurofen is brilliant. Settles him right down.

I've given him nurofen twice when I can't think of what else I should do and he won't settle. Last night he wouldn't sleep until I gave in and gave him nurofen at midnight and he slept till 6.30am.

Problem is I'm scared to give him the nurofen, everyone says to give panadol and try to avoid nurfoen but the pandol doesn't work much.

I read it can give them stomach ulcers etc..freaking out a little.
Now I feel really guilty for giving nurofen.

What do you guys do?

[One of THOSE mums!]

I usually use panadol, but like you keep nurofen in the house as a last resort!

[Nomsie]

Just make sure that when you give nurofen that you also give food or milk so he has something in his tummy with it.

[Ruby Sneakers]

Just make sure that when you give nurofen that you also give food or milk so he has something in his tummy with it.

That's it stick to the recommended times and dosages and make sure his tummy isn't empty when he has it and he will be fine as u say ur only using it because he obviously needs it so pls don't worry

[Von Zipper]

Over use of nurofen (and any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug such as Voltaren) can cause stomach ulcers.

I am not allowed to have any NSAIDs because I have a lap-band and it holds it in my stomach for too long. With normal use, though, it shouldn't be an issue - just follow the dosage recommendations and always give with food/milk.

I give DS nurofen when he needs it because panadol does nothing, and he hates the taste of panadol.

[Faithy]

It wouldn't be avaliable if under instructions it was that bad. Don't feel guilty because it is helping bubs so that's good.

[twitch]

How old is your baby?

I've always given Nurofen, then when they're old enough (or close to and in a huge amount of pain) Painstop.

If you're going to medicate them you may as well use something that works.

[tinynosetinytoes]

At times (when DS had croup and another when he had an ear infection) nurses and doctors suggested alternating panadol and nurofen.

They have different things in them so if panadol doesn't bring down a temp or get rid of pain, chances are the nurofen will.

Like other posters said, always give it will food or milk (that will stop bub from getting stomach ulcers.

In my opinion, it's much better to give nurofen when needed to stop your little one being in pain than to give panadol if it's clearly not working

[missie_mack]

I think the problem with nurofen vs panadol is that everyone sees nurofen as the same. Where nurofen is actually an anti inflammatory- hence why it is probably better for inflammed gums and brilliant for croup (as it reduces swelling in the throat!!)

[Misschief]

I can't have anti-inflammatories like Ibuprofen as it gives me gastric ulcers. This was a huge problem when I really really had to use a very specific anti inflammatory at the end of my pregnancy, to keep bubs healthy while still in uteri. I had to use Nexium to line my stomach so I could use that anti-inflammatory to save DS. I thought this meant that DS would also be sensitive towards anti-inflammatories, but he's not.

Nurofen is not a really dangerous or heavy medicine, it's just that it can create stomach pains with some people and bubba's. When DS was teething his big molars, he also ended up with tonsillitis, an ear infection and a viral rash.
He was admitted to hospital where they did "piggybacking". Nurofen followed by Panadol 4 hours later, followed by Nurofen 4 hours later, etc.
Another difference with Nurofen is that it takes longer for it to work, but it works upto 6 hours. Panadol works quickly, but only lasts upto 4 hours. That's why I, when DS is in pain, I give him Nurofen at night time when he goes to bed.