Undesirable effects may be minimised by using the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration necessary to control symptoms (see section 4.2, Gastrointestinal and cardiovascular risks below).
Masking of symptoms of underlying infections:
Ibuprofen oral suspension can mask symptoms of infection, which may lead to delayed initiation of appropriate treatment and thereby worsening the outcome of the infection. This has been observed in bacterial community acquired pneumonia and bacterial complications to varicella. When Ibuprofen is administered for fever or pain relief in relation to infection, monitoring of infection is advised. In non-hospital settings, the patient should consult a doctor if symptoms persist or worsen.
Elderly:
The elderly have an increased frequency of adverse reactions to NSAIDs especially gastrointestinal bleeding and perforation which may be fatal. The elderly are at increased risk of the consequences of adverse reactions
Respiratory:
Bronchospasm may be precipitated in patients suffering from, or with a history of, bronchial asthma or allergic disease.
Other NSAIDs:
The use of Ibuprofen Oral Suspension with concomitant NSAIDs, including cyclooxygenase‑2 selective inhibitors should be avoided (see section 4.5).
SLE and mixed connective tissue disease:
Systematic lupus erythematosus and mixed connective tissue disease – increased risk of aseptic meningitis (see section 4.8)
Renal:
In general the habitual use of analgesics, especially the combination of different analgesics, can lead to lasting renal lesions with the risk of renal failure (analgesic nephropathy).
Renal impairment as renal function may further deteriorate (see section 4.3 and 4.8). There is a risk of renal impairment in dehydrated children and adolescents.
Renal tubular acidosis and hypokalaemia may occur following acute overdose and in patients taking ibuprofen products over long periods at high doses (typically greater than 4 weeks), including doses exceeding the recommended daily dose.
Hepatic:
Hepatic dysfunction (see section 4.3 and 4.8)
Caution is required in patients with:
• Congenital disorder of porphyrin metabolism (e.g. acute intermittent porphyria)
• Directly after major surgery
• Hayfever, nasal polyps or chronic obstructive respiratory disorders as an increased risk for them of allergic reactions occurring. These may be present as asthma attacks (so-called analgesic asthma), Quincke's oedema or urticaria.
• In patients who have already reacted allergically to other substances, as an increased risk of hypersensitivity reactions occurring also exists for them on use of this product
Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular effects
Caution (discussion with doctor or pharmacist) is required prior to starting treatment in patients with a history of hypertension and/or heart failure as fluid retention, hypertension and oedema have been reported in association with NSAID therapy.
Clinical studies and epidemiological data suggest that use of ibuprofen, particularly at high doses (2400 mg daily) and in long-term treatment may be associated with a small increased risk of arterial thrombotic events (for example myocardial infarction or stroke). Overall, epidemiological studies do not suggest that low dose ibuprofen (e.g. ≤1200 mg daily) is associated with an increased risk of myocardial function.
Patients with uncontrolled hypertension, congestive heart failure (NYHA II-III), established ischaemic heart disease, peripheral arterial disease, and/or cerebrovascular disease should only be treated with ibuprofen after careful consideration and high doses (2400 mg/day) should be avoided.
Careful consideration should also be exercised before initiating long-term treatment of patients with risk factors for cardiovascular events (e.g. hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, diabetes mellitus, smoking), particularly if high doses of ibuprofen (2400 mg/day) are required.
Cases of Kounis syndrome have been reported in patients treated with Ibuprofen oral suspension. Kounis syndrome has been defined as cardiovascular symptoms secondary to an allergic or hypersensitive reaction associated with constriction of coronary arteries and potentially leading to myocardial infarction.
Impaired female fertility:
There is limited evidence that drugs which inhibit cyclo-oxygenase/prostaglandin synthesis may cause impairment of female fertility by an effect on ovulation. This is reversible upon withdrawal of treatment.
Gastrointestinal:
NSAIDs should be given with care to patients with a history of gastrointestinal disease (ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease) as these conditions may be exacerbated (see section 4.8 – undesirable effects).
GI bleeding, ulceration or perforation, which can be fatal, has been reported with all NSAIDs at any time during treatment, with or without warning symptoms or a previous history of serious GI events.
The risk of GI bleeding, ulceration or perforation is higher with increasing NSAID doses, in patients with a history of ulcer, particularly if complicated with haemorrhage or perforation (see section 4.3), and in the elderly. These patients should commence treatment on the lowest dose available.
Combination therapy with protective medicinal products (eg Misoprostol or proton pump inhibitors) should be considered for these patients, and also for patients requiring concomitant low dose acetylsalicylic acid, or other medicinal products likely to increase gastrointestinal risk.
Patients with a history of GI toxicity, particularly when elderly, should report any unusual abdominal symptoms (especially GI bleeding) particularly in the initial stages of treatment.
Caution should be advised in patients receiving concomitant medications which could increase the risk of ulceration or bleeding, such as oral corticosteroids, anticoagulants such as warfarin, selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors or anti-platelet agents such as aspirin acetylsalicylic acid) (see section 4.5).
When GI bleeding or ulceration occurs in patients receiving Ibuprofen Oral Suspension, the treatment should be withdrawn.
Severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs)
Severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs), including exfoliative dermatitis, erythema multiforme, Stevens‑Johnson syndrome (SJS), Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN), Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS syndrome), and acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP), which can be life-threatening or fatal, have been reported in association with the use of ibuprofen (see section 4.8). Most of these reactions occurred within the first month.
If signs and symptoms suggestive of these reactions appear ibuprofen should be withdrawn immediately and an alternative treatment considered (as appropriate).
Exceptionally, varicella can be at the origin of serious cutaneous and soft tissues infectious complications. To date, the contributing role of NSAIDs in the worsening of these infections cannot be ruled out. Thus, it is advisable to avoid use of ibuprofen in case of varicella (chickenpox).
Advice for patients with sugar-related disorders:
This medicinal product contains maltitol liquid. Patients with rare hereditary problems of fructose intolerance should not take this medicine.
Advice for patients on a controlled sodium diet:
This medicinal product contains 57.9 mg (2.52 mmol) sodium per 400 mg (10 ml) dose, equivalent to 2.9% of the WHO recommended maximum daily intake of 2 g sodium for an adult.
Other notes:
Severe acute hypersensitivity reactions (for example anaphylactic shock) are observed very rarely. At the first signs of a hypersensitivity reaction after taking/administering ibuprofen therapy must be stopped. Medically required measures, in line with the symptoms, must be initiated by specialist personnel.
Ibuprofen may temporarily inhibit the blood-platelet function (thrombocyte aggregation). Patients with coagulation disturbances should therefore be monitored carefully.
In prolonged administration of ibuprofen, regular checking of the liver values, the kidney function, as well as of the blood count is required.
Prolonged use of any type of painkiller for headaches can make them worse. If this situation is experienced or suspected, medical advice should be obtained and treatment should be discontinued. The diagnosis of medication overuse headache (MOH) should be suspected in patients who have frequent or daily headaches despite (or because of) the regular use of headache medications.
Through concomitant consumption of alcohol, active substance-related undesirable effects, particularly those that concern the gastrointestinal tract or the central nervous system, may be increased on use of NSAIDs.