to wonder what the difference is between Nurofen and Calprofen

[whoneedssleepanyway]

we have both...the dose for DD2 (1.3) is as follows:

Nurofen - 5ml
Calprofen - 2.5ml

why the difference, looked and seems to be same concentration. nurofen always seems to work much more quickly (which it would do i guess if i am giving double the dose)

can i therefore give 5ml of Calprofen to a 1 yr old...?

Must qualify that I'm no longer on the register as a pharmacist (not since dd1) but both are just brand names for ibuprofen

really, really important not to give more and I always advise giving after food to protect stomach lining. Dosage is better related to weight of child rather than age, but just go with the packet guidelines or medical advice (not me)!!

Both are useful analgesics but prefer to give paracetamol (Calpol etc) for general pain, reserve ibuprofen for when inflamation involved (could include teething in this) again cos u don't want ur LO to have stomach ulcers in later life tho' over use of NSAIDs (drug family name).

Found this really weird too - and further research has revealed all the generic brands say 2.5ml till they are 3. Phoned up NHS24 a few months back to get advice about painkillers for a screaming one year old (was more thinking alternating paracetamol and ibuprofen) saying I'd already given 2.5ml. She seemed a bit dismissive of my small dose - until I defensively said I was following packet instructions, at which point she said to stick with that.

Embarrasingly, by then my "unconsolable" toddler was sitting happily watching Waybaloo on the iplayer, so I was quite happy to hang up and try to get him back to bed.

I thought nurofen was nurofen and calprofen was nurofen and paracetomol. I could be wrong (don't have the packaging in front of me).