Any pharmacists around? 13yr old took 800mg ibruprofen

[FoxRedPuppy]

By accident- the 400mg had been put in the wrong box. She took two and then realised.

She is autistic so is now panicking about taking too much, but she also can’t face A&E.

I appreciate it is above the dose, but wonder what I need to do. I will force her to A&E if I have to, but would rather not as it will likely cause an autistic meltdown.

Would it be ok to keep an eye on her and see how she goes?

Cal 111

Ring 111 now they will advise you.

A recommended single dose of ibuprofen is 5-10 mg per 1 kg of body weight. The maximum safe daily dosage is 40 mg per 1 kg of body weight.

Weigh her. Work it out. See if it’s ok.

I’d call 111 for advice.

My experience of 111 is they always send an ambulance or to A&E. Especially with a child.

But I’ll call them.

They will want to know her weight but they will be concerned about the risk of gastric bleeding and they will want to talk through signs and symptoms.

She’s currently refusing to be weighed. I can estimate.

Has she exceeded the dose for 24 hours? If not, just delay when she has her next set of tablets

Hi, only you can decide what you want to do but a few things to consider;

1. adult doses generally start at 12 years of age
2. 800mg ibuprofen is quite a high single dose but is sometimes prescribed for adults
3. the main side effect likely to be experienced is stomach irritation that might cause gastritis & maybe heart burn
4. the gastric side effects can be reduced by taking with food, even if already taken then drinking milk may help
5. if you do need further advice I would ring 111 before going to A&E

I was a pharmacist for 30 years, now retired.

The maximum dose in 24 hours seems to be 400mg x 3 = 1200mg
Has she had any more ibuprofen today or was that the only tablets she'd had?

Has she only just taken them? Induce vomiting.

Drink a pint of cold water to fill the stomach and provide a but of protection from acid then stick fingers down throat.

I am assuming it was a single dose. Obviously more likely to be experiencing issues if taken for a while.

DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING

Terrible advice.

Don’t induce vomiting!!!! 🚨

A single dose and no other ibruprofen today.

Even if I wanted to, not a chance I’ll get an autistic child to make herself sick.

We’ve agreed I’m going to keep an eye on her. She’ll probably sleep in She has called down. I will of course take her in if she shows any adverse signs.

The comment about the maximum daily dose of 3 x 400mg equivalent to 1.2g of ibuprofen is only for over the counter licensed products.
Ibuprofen is prescribed up to much higher doses up to 2.4g per day.

Sounds sensible.

Make sure she's eaten something. It can cause irritation on an empty stomach.

This is great advice.

please do not induce vomiting although if your daughter is refusing weighing I can’t imagine she would allow you to stick your fingers down her throat

sorry this is happening @FoxRedPuppy . I agree with you I can imagine 111 will tell you to go to A&E. What difficulties does she suffer with with her autism? A&E waiting rooms on a Saturday night can be sensory overload with extremely long waits at the best of times and if they’re the only tablets she’s taken all day I can’t imagine they will do much more than “monitor” her overnight - if that. Obviously if she has taken many more than the 800mg you may need medical attention.

you may find this website useful whilst you weigh up benefits / risks or A&E for your daughter. https://litfl.com/nsaids-toxicity/

hope she’s ok

Sorry @FoxRedPuppy cross posted with your update - sounds like a good plan x

Do not do this really dangerous advice

She will be fine on that dose it takes a hell of a lot more to overdose then people realise

800mg is an adult dose but pharmacy only dose.

Adult dosing does start from 12 years but all depends how much your 13 year old weighs.

Get her to drink and keep drinking. I wouldn’t even call 111, just observe

So this was twice the amount you are supposed to take at home? If so I have also done this (thought I'd grabbed my usual ones I need to take two tablets for one dose) and I did seek medical advice at the time and was told that it was ok and hospital settings can subscribe the amount that I had taken so it wasn't going to give me ill effects. But I am also an adult. I'd ring 111 and make sure, but wouldn't worry too much, unless they are significantly more slight than an adult.

@Apothecary83 is spot on. Let her sleep for now and don't let her take any more until 24 hours has elapsed.