Nurofen
Encyclopedia
Nurofen is the brand name of a range of pain-relief medication made by Reckitt Benckiser
. Introduced in 1983, the Nurofen brand was acquired following Reckitt Benckiser's acquisition of Boots Healthcare in 2005. The brand is primarily marketed and sold in the United Kingdom
, other parts of Europe
, Australia
and New Zealand
.
It is primarily ibuprofen.
There are 11 variants of Nurofen, all of which contain the analgesic
ibuprofen
as the active ingredient. Ibuprofen was developed by the research arm of Boots. Some variants of Nurofen contain other active ingredients; for example, Nurofen Cold & Flu contains the non-sedating
decongestant
pseudoephedrine
. Nurofen can help reduce back pain
, menstrual pain, fever
s or headache
.
relief
medication
based on codeine
and ibuprofen
. It contains 12.8 mg of codeine phosphate (a mild opioid analgesic) and 200 mg of ibuprofen, which is an NSAID. Nurofen Plus is the only product in the Nurofen range that contains codeine.
The original tablet was manufactured in two halves and coated. One half would contain the 12.8 mg of codeine phosphate and the other half contained 200 mg of ibuprofen. The tablets could be forcefully split for recreational use of codeine. Such drugs have a potential for misuse because they are available freely to the public. It has also been linked to severe hypokalaemia secondary to ibuprofen-induced renal tubule acidosis
.
After concerns were raised about the addiction risk posed by the codeine content of these medicines (both Nurofen Plus and competing brands which contain codeine), an addiction warning was placed on the boxes in 2009 to warn users the medicine may cause addiction and must only be used for three days. There is still concern in places where these medicines are available over the counter, and certain groups suggest they should be made prescription only medicines (POMs). Over the counter codeine containing drugs can only be sold in the presence of a qualified pharmacist, and pharmacists can question repeat customers and refuse sales of these drugs if overuse or abuse is suspected.
Codeine mixed with other agents for pain relief in quantities less than 90 mg per dosing unit are prescription-only medications and listed under Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act 1970 in the US; if available in the United States, Nurofen Plus would be in this category and likely have a brand name featuring a narcotic content number per the Pure Food & Drug Act of 1906, such as "Nurofen Plus With Codeine No. 2." Such an ibuprofen/codeine mixture would be prescription-only in Canada unless the codeine content was under 10 mg per tablet.
, distributed by Reckitt Benckiser
Healthcare (UK) Ltd. Nurofen for Children is suitable for babies and children from 3 months (over 6 kg) to 12 years.
It is used for the fast and effective reduction of fever
, including post immunisation pyrexia and the fast and effective relief of mild to moderate pain
, such as a sore throat
, teething pain, toothache
, headache
, minor aches and sprains.
Nurofen for Children is sugar free and colour free and comes in two flavours – strawberry and orange. It is available in bottle packs and in sachet
s. An easy dosing syringe
is included in every bottle pack to aid accurate dosing.
per 5ml dose.
per sachet.
These doses should be given approximately every 6 to 8 hours, or with a minimum of 4 hours between each dose if required.
properties of Nurofen, but acts twice as fast.
, the Australian independent consumer watchdog
. The award was given for taking painkillers with the same ingredients and marketing them for specific parts of the body at varying prices. Significantly, the fast-acting painkillers labeled for specific pain types were priced higher that the general variety (in some cases almost double the price), while they all contain the same ingredients and work in the same way. The Shonky Awards are designed to expose companies with dubious marketing practices.
Reckitt Benckiser
Reckitt Benckiser plc is a global consumer goods company headquartered in Slough, United Kingdom. It is the world's largest producer of household products and a major producer of consumer healthcare and personal products...
. Introduced in 1983, the Nurofen brand was acquired following Reckitt Benckiser's acquisition of Boots Healthcare in 2005. The brand is primarily marketed and sold in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, other parts of Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
.
It is primarily ibuprofen.
There are 11 variants of Nurofen, all of which contain the analgesic
Analgesic
An analgesic is any member of the group of drugs used to relieve pain . The word analgesic derives from Greek an- and algos ....
ibuprofen
Ibuprofen
Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used for relief of symptoms of arthritis, fever, as an analgesic , especially where there is an inflammatory component, and dysmenorrhea....
as the active ingredient. Ibuprofen was developed by the research arm of Boots. Some variants of Nurofen contain other active ingredients; for example, Nurofen Cold & Flu contains the non-sedating
Sedation
Sedation is the reduction of irritability or agitation by administration of sedative drugs, generally to facilitate a medical procedure or diagnostic procedure...
decongestant
Decongestant
A decongestant or nasal decongestant is a type of drug that is used to relieve nasal congestion.-Pharmacology:The vast majority of decongestants act via enhancing norepinephrine and epinephrine or adrenergic activity by stimulating the α-adrenergic receptors...
pseudoephedrine
Pseudoephedrine
Pseudoephedrine is a sympathomimetic drug of the phenethylamine and amphetamine chemical classes. It is used as a nasal/sinus decongestant and stimulant, or as a wakefulness-promoting agent....
. Nurofen can help reduce back pain
Back pain
Back pain is pain felt in the back that usually originates from the muscles, nerves, bones, joints or other structures in the spine.The pain can often be divided into neck pain, upper back pain, lower back pain or tailbone pain...
, menstrual pain, fever
Fever
Fever is a common medical sign characterized by an elevation of temperature above the normal range of due to an increase in the body temperature regulatory set-point. This increase in set-point triggers increased muscle tone and shivering.As a person's temperature increases, there is, in...
s or headache
Headache
A headache or cephalalgia is pain anywhere in the region of the head or neck. It can be a symptom of a number of different conditions of the head and neck. The brain tissue itself is not sensitive to pain because it lacks pain receptors. Rather, the pain is caused by disturbance of the...
.
Nurofen Plus
Nurofen Plus is a painPain
Pain is an unpleasant sensation often caused by intense or damaging stimuli such as stubbing a toe, burning a finger, putting iodine on a cut, and bumping the "funny bone."...
relief
Relief
Relief is a sculptural technique. The term relief is from the Latin verb levo, to raise. To create a sculpture in relief is thus to give the impression that the sculpted material has been raised above the background plane...
medication
Medication
A pharmaceutical drug, also referred to as medicine, medication or medicament, can be loosely defined as any chemical substance intended for use in the medical diagnosis, cure, treatment, or prevention of disease.- Classification :...
based on codeine
Codeine
Codeine or 3-methylmorphine is an opiate used for its analgesic, antitussive, and antidiarrheal properties...
and ibuprofen
Ibuprofen
Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used for relief of symptoms of arthritis, fever, as an analgesic , especially where there is an inflammatory component, and dysmenorrhea....
. It contains 12.8 mg of codeine phosphate (a mild opioid analgesic) and 200 mg of ibuprofen, which is an NSAID. Nurofen Plus is the only product in the Nurofen range that contains codeine.
The original tablet was manufactured in two halves and coated. One half would contain the 12.8 mg of codeine phosphate and the other half contained 200 mg of ibuprofen. The tablets could be forcefully split for recreational use of codeine. Such drugs have a potential for misuse because they are available freely to the public. It has also been linked to severe hypokalaemia secondary to ibuprofen-induced renal tubule acidosis
Acidosis
Acidosis is an increased acidity in the blood and other body tissue . If not further qualified, it usually refers to acidity of the blood plasma....
.
After concerns were raised about the addiction risk posed by the codeine content of these medicines (both Nurofen Plus and competing brands which contain codeine), an addiction warning was placed on the boxes in 2009 to warn users the medicine may cause addiction and must only be used for three days. There is still concern in places where these medicines are available over the counter, and certain groups suggest they should be made prescription only medicines (POMs). Over the counter codeine containing drugs can only be sold in the presence of a qualified pharmacist, and pharmacists can question repeat customers and refuse sales of these drugs if overuse or abuse is suspected.
Codeine mixed with other agents for pain relief in quantities less than 90 mg per dosing unit are prescription-only medications and listed under Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act 1970 in the US; if available in the United States, Nurofen Plus would be in this category and likely have a brand name featuring a narcotic content number per the Pure Food & Drug Act of 1906, such as "Nurofen Plus With Codeine No. 2." Such an ibuprofen/codeine mixture would be prescription-only in Canada unless the codeine content was under 10 mg per tablet.
Nurofen for Children
Nurofen for Children is a brand of children's medicineMedicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
, distributed by Reckitt Benckiser
Reckitt Benckiser
Reckitt Benckiser plc is a global consumer goods company headquartered in Slough, United Kingdom. It is the world's largest producer of household products and a major producer of consumer healthcare and personal products...
Healthcare (UK) Ltd. Nurofen for Children is suitable for babies and children from 3 months (over 6 kg) to 12 years.
It is used for the fast and effective reduction of fever
Fever
Fever is a common medical sign characterized by an elevation of temperature above the normal range of due to an increase in the body temperature regulatory set-point. This increase in set-point triggers increased muscle tone and shivering.As a person's temperature increases, there is, in...
, including post immunisation pyrexia and the fast and effective relief of mild to moderate pain
Pain
Pain is an unpleasant sensation often caused by intense or damaging stimuli such as stubbing a toe, burning a finger, putting iodine on a cut, and bumping the "funny bone."...
, such as a sore throat
Sore throat
A sore throat or throat pain is a common physical symptom usually caused by acute pharyngitis, or throat inflammation, though it also occurs in a number of other situations, such as post trauma and in diphtheria. It can cause mild to extreme pain....
, teething pain, toothache
Toothache
A toothache, also known as odontalgia or, less frequently, as odontalgy, is an aching pain in or around a tooth.-Causes:* Dental etiology, In most cases toothaches are caused by problems in the tooth or jaw, such as** Dental caries...
, headache
Headache
A headache or cephalalgia is pain anywhere in the region of the head or neck. It can be a symptom of a number of different conditions of the head and neck. The brain tissue itself is not sensitive to pain because it lacks pain receptors. Rather, the pain is caused by disturbance of the...
, minor aches and sprains.
Nurofen for Children is sugar free and colour free and comes in two flavours – strawberry and orange. It is available in bottle packs and in sachet
Sachet
A sachet or packet, is a small disposable bag or pouch, often used to contain single-use quantities of foods or consumer goods, such as shampoo....
s. An easy dosing syringe
Syringe
A syringe is a simple pump consisting of a plunger that fits tightly in a tube. The plunger can be pulled and pushed along inside a cylindrical tube , allowing the syringe to take in and expel a liquid or gas through an orifice at the open end of the tube...
is included in every bottle pack to aid accurate dosing.
Nurofen in a Bottle for Children
Available in 100ml and 150ml bottles. Contains 100 mg of ibuprofenIbuprofen
Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used for relief of symptoms of arthritis, fever, as an analgesic , especially where there is an inflammatory component, and dysmenorrhea....
per 5ml dose.
| Age of Child | How Much | How often in 24 hours |
|---|---|---|
| 3–6 months (weighing more than 5 kg) | 2.5ml | 3 times |
| 6–12 months | 2.5ml | 3-4 times |
| 1–3 years | 5ml | 3 times |
| 4–6 years | 7.5ml | 3 times |
| 7–9 years | 10ml | 3 times |
| 10–12 years | 15ml | 3 times |
Nurofen Sachets for Children
Available in boxes of 8 or 16 5 mL sachets. Contains 100 mg of ibuprofenIbuprofen
Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used for relief of symptoms of arthritis, fever, as an analgesic , especially where there is an inflammatory component, and dysmenorrhea....
per sachet.
| Age of Child | How Much | How often in 24 hours |
|---|---|---|
| 3–6 months (weighing more than 5 kg) | 2.5ml | 3 times |
| 6–12 months | 2.5ml | 3-4 times |
| 1–3 years | 5ml | 3 times |
| 4–6 years | 7.5ml | 3 times |
| 7–9 years | 10ml | 3 times |
| 10–12 years | 15ml | 3 times |
These doses should be given approximately every 6 to 8 hours, or with a minimum of 4 hours between each dose if required.
Nurofen Express/Nurofen Zavance
Nurofen Express (in the UK)/Nurofen Zavance (in Australia and New Zealand) contains 256 mg of sodium ibuprofen dihydrate, equivalent to 200 mg of ibuprofen. It has the same analgesicAnalgesic
An analgesic is any member of the group of drugs used to relieve pain . The word analgesic derives from Greek an- and algos ....
properties of Nurofen, but acts twice as fast.
Marketing
In 2010 Nurofen received a Shonky Award from CHOICEChoice magazine
CHOICE Magazine is a publication of the Australian Consumers' Association, a non-profit organisation founded in 1959 to research and advocate on behalf of Australian consumers. The organisation trades as CHOICE and is similar to Consumer Reports in the United States...
, the Australian independent consumer watchdog
Consumer watchdog
A consumer watchdog is an individual or organization that supports consumer rights; the term may refer to:* Consumer organization* Watchdog journalism* Consumer Watchdog , a private consumer rights advocacy group in Botswana...
. The award was given for taking painkillers with the same ingredients and marketing them for specific parts of the body at varying prices. Significantly, the fast-acting painkillers labeled for specific pain types were priced higher that the general variety (in some cases almost double the price), while they all contain the same ingredients and work in the same way. The Shonky Awards are designed to expose companies with dubious marketing practices.