What Is Ibuprofen?
Ibuprofen (sold in Singapore as Nurofen or Brufen) is an anti-inflammatory fever and pain medicine, often used alongside or instead of paracetamol. It works differently from paracetamol, which is why it suits some situations better and others worse. What it is, how it works, side effects, when not to use it, and how to store it.
What is ibuprofen?
Ibuprofen is a medicine used to bring down fever, ease pain, and reduce inflammation. In Singapore it is most commonly sold as Nurofen for Children or Brufen Children's Suspension. Both contain the same active ingredient, ibuprofen, usually at 100 mg per 5 ml.
It belongs to a group of medicines called NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). For a fever, it is often used as an alternative to paracetamol, or alongside it on a rotating schedule, when a fever is high or not settling with paracetamol alone.
How it works
Ibuprofen blocks the production of prostaglandins, chemicals the body makes during illness or injury that contribute to fever, pain, and inflammation. Unlike paracetamol, which acts mainly in the brain, ibuprofen reduces prostaglandins throughout the body.
This wider effect is part of why ibuprofen can help with swelling and inflammation as well as fever, and also why it can irritate the stomach lining or affect the kidneys in some situations. It usually starts working within 30 to 60 minutes and lasts around 6 to 8 hours.
Forms it comes in
The most common form for babies and young children. Nurofen and Brufen Children's Suspension are both 100 mg per 5 ml, but always check the label of the bottle you have.
Used for older children who can safely chew or swallow tablets, usually from school age.
Less commonly stocked than paracetamol suppositories, but available. Useful if your child is vomiting or refusing medicine by mouth.
→ How suppositories work, and how to give one
Side effects
The most common side effect is stomach upset, which is why ibuprofen should be given with food or milk. Some children may have mild tummy pain or feel slightly nauseous after a dose.
Less commonly, ibuprofen can affect the kidneys, especially in a child who is dehydrated or not drinking well, since the kidneys are already under more strain. This is one of the reasons fluids matter during a fever, not just for comfort.
→ Fever and dehydration: signs to watch for and what to offer
When not to use it
Ibuprofen is not suitable for every child or every illness. A few situations come up often enough to flag here:
- Your child is under 3 months, or weighs under 5 kg.
- Dengue is possible. In Singapore, a fever without a clear cause can be dengue in the first few days.
- Your child is vomiting repeatedly, or not drinking well.
- Your child has chickenpox.
- Your child has already had diclofenac (for example a suppository from the clinic) or naproxen. These are the same class of medicine as ibuprofen, so never give them within each other’s dosing window.
- Your child has asthma that has got worse with ibuprofen or aspirin before.
- Your child has kidney problems, a stomach ulcer, or a bleeding disorder.
If you are not sure, ask your pharmacist or GP before giving it.
In these situations, paracetamol is usually the alternative. See the ibuprofen dosage guide for the full list, and ask your pharmacist if you are unsure.
Storing it safely
- Keep the bottle at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and heat.
- Singapore's heat and humidity can affect some liquid medicines, so avoid leaving bottles in a car, on a windowsill, or near the kitchen stove.
- Keep medicine in its original container with the dosing syringe or cup, so the concentration and dose markings stay clear.
- Store it out of children's reach and sight, ideally in a cabinet rather than a bag or drawer a child can open.
- Check the expiry date before each use, and follow any "use within X months of opening" note on the label.
→ Can I alternate paracetamol and ibuprofen for my child?
→ What is paracetamol, and how is it different?
When to get help now
Call 995 now if your child has a fever and any of these:
- !A seizure lasting more than 5 minutes (give rectal diazepam if a doctor has prescribed it, and still call)
- !Struggling to breathe (skin pulling in under the ribs, nostrils flaring, or grunting), pauses in breathing, or lips turning blue or grey
- !Cannot be woken, or floppy and not responding to you
- !A rash of small red or purple spots that does not fade when you press a glass on it
- !Swelling of the lips, tongue, or face, with any difficulty breathing
- !Cold, clammy, or mottled skin, with drowsiness or restlessness
Go to the nearest 24-hour A&E or children's emergency now if:
- !A baby under 3 months with a temperature of 38.0°C or above
- !A first febrile seizure, even if it has stopped
- !After a seizure: confused, still drowsy after 30 minutes, or more than one seizure in a day
- !A stiff neck, or crying in pain when bending the head forward
- !Unusually drowsy or hard to wake, but can be woken
- !Dengue warning signs as the fever comes down: tummy pain, repeated vomiting, bleeding gums or nose, or very tired
- !No urine or wet nappy for 12 hours or more
- !No tears when crying, sunken eyes, or a very dry mouth
- !Cannot keep any fluids down
- !Green vomit
- !A temperature above 40°C that is not coming down, and your child seems unwell
Frequently asked questions
Is ibuprofen the same as Nurofen or Brufen?+
Yes. Ibuprofen is the active ingredient, the medicine itself. Nurofen for Children and Brufen Children's Suspension are brand names for products that contain ibuprofen. The label will show "ibuprofen" as the active ingredient regardless of the brand on the box.
How is ibuprofen different from paracetamol?+
Both reduce fever and pain, but ibuprofen also reduces inflammation, while paracetamol does not. Ibuprofen works throughout the body rather than mainly in the brain, which is part of why it can irritate the stomach lining, while paracetamol generally does not.
Can I give ibuprofen and paracetamol at the same time?+
Never give both at the same moment. Give the other medicine only if your child is still uncomfortable or 38.5°C or above about an hour after the first. Each medicine keeps its own clock and daily maximum: paracetamol every 4 to 6 hours, ibuprofen every 6 to 8 hours. See our guide on alternating the two for the timing. Use paracetamol, not ibuprofen, if dengue is possible, your child is vomiting or not drinking well, is under 3 months, or has had diclofenac.
Why does ibuprofen need to be given with food?+
Ibuprofen belongs to a group of medicines called NSAIDs, which can irritate the stomach lining. Giving it with food or milk reduces the chance of stomach upset. Paracetamol does not have this requirement.
Is ibuprofen safe to give if my child might have dengue?+
No. If dengue is suspected, ibuprofen and other NSAIDs should be avoided because they can increase the risk of bleeding. Paracetamol is the medicine to use for fever and discomfort while this is checked.
How should I store ibuprofen at home?+
Keep it at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and heat, in its original bottle with the dosing syringe. Singapore's heat and humidity can affect some liquid medicines, so avoid leaving bottles in a car or near a window. Store it out of children's reach and sight, and check the expiry date before each use.