How to take it

THE MEDICINE Age

Dose and how often to take

Adults, the Initial dose 1 or 2 tablets to elderly and be taken with water, adolescents preferably with or after between food, then if necessary 1 or 2 12 and 18 tablets every 4 hours. Do not years take more often than every

4 hours. Do not take more than 6 tablets in any 24 hour period.

Do not give to children under 12 years. ■ This medicine is intended for short term use only ■ Take the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration necessary to relieve symptoms. In Adults: Do not take these tablets for longer than 10 days unless your doctor tells you to. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist if you do not get better or get worse, or if new symptoms occur. In Adolescents between 12 and 18 years: If in adolescents this medicinal product is required for more than 3 days, or if symptoms worsen, a doctor should be consulted. If you have an infection, consult a doctor without delay if symptoms (such as fever and pain) persist or worsen (see section 2). If you take more tablets than you should: If you have taken more tablets than you should, or if children have taken this medicine by accident always contact a doctor or nearest hospital to get an opinion of the risk and advice on action to be taken. The symptoms can include nausea, stomach pain, vomiting (may be blood streaked), headache, ringing in the ears, confusion and shaky eye movement.

Skin reactions Serious skin reactions including exfoliative dermatitis, erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), acute generalised exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) have been reported in association with ibuprofen treatment. Stop using this medicine and seek medical attention immediately if you notice any of the symptoms related to these serious skin reactions described in section 4. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine if you:

• are elderly because you may be at more risk of having serious side effects, particularly stomach problems
• have or have suffered from asthma, diabetes, high cholesterol or have allergies
• have liver or kidney problems
• have stomach or bowel disorders including Crohn's disease or a condition known as ulcerative colitis
• have Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) – an illness which affects your immune system. It causes joint pains, skin changes and problems with other parts of your body
• have, have previously had, or are at risk of heart problems, high blood pressure or stroke
• have an infection – please see heading 'Infections' below. Infections This medicine may hide signs of infections such as fever and pain. It is therefore possible that this medicine may delay appropriate treatment of infection, which may lead to an increased risk of complications. This has been observed in pneumonia caused by bacteria and bacterial skin infections related to chickenpox. If you take this medicine while you have

At high doses, drowsiness, chest pain, palpitations, loss of consciousness, convulsions (mainly in children), weakness and dizziness, blood in urine, cold body feeling, and breathing problems have been reported.

Possible side effects

Most people take these tablets without any problems, but they can have side effects, like all medicines. To reduce the chance of side effects, especially if you are elderly, use the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time. If you get any of the following at any time during your treatment STOP TAKING, and get medical help straight away:

• Signs of intestinal bleeding such as vomiting blood or dark particles (that look like coffee grounds), black tarry stools or motions, or blood passed in your stools or motions
• Signs of serious allergic reaction such as:
• asthma, worsening of asthma, unexplained wheezing or shortness of breath
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue and throat (causing difficulty in swallowing or breathing)
• rapid heart rate, low blood pressure and collapse
• also, there may be severe skin reactions with rashes, blistering and peeling skin
• aseptic meningitis (which can have symptoms such as severe headache, stiff neck, disorientation, fever and eye sensitivity to light in those with existing auto-immune disorders such as lupus)
• chest pain, which can be a sign of a potentially serious allergic reaction called Kounis syndrome
• reddish non-elevated, target-like or circular patches on the trunk, often with central blisters, skin peeling, ulcers of mouth, throat, nose, genitals and eyes. These serious skin rashes can be preceded by fever and flu-like symptoms [exfoliative dermatitis, erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis]
• widespread rash, high body temperature and enlarged lymph nodes (DRESS syndrome)
• a red, scaly widespread rash with bumps under the skin and blisters accompanied by fever. The symptoms usually appear at the initiation of