Toxicity:
Signs and Symptoms of toxicity have generally not been observed at doses below 100mg/kg in children or in adults. However, supportive care may be needed in some cases. Children have been observed to manifest signs and symptoms of toxicity after ingestion of 400mg/kg or greater.
Symptoms:
Most patients who have ingested significant amounts of ibuprofen will manifest symptoms within 4-6 hours. The most frequently reported symptoms of overdose include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, lethargy and drowsiness. Central nervous system (CNS) effects include headache, tinnitus, dizziness, convulsion and rarely loss of consciousness. Nystagmus, metabolic acidosis, hypothermia, renal effects, gastrointestinal bleeding, coma, apnea and depression of the CNS and respiratory system have also been reported. Hyperkalaemia may develop. Cardiovascular toxicity, including hypotension, bradycardia and tachycardia, has also been reported. In cases of significant overdose, renal failure and liver damage are possible. Large overdoses are generally well tolerated when no other drugs are involved.
Treatment of overdosage:
There is no specific antidote to ibuprofen.
Gastric emptying followed by supportive measures is recommended if the quantity ingested exceeds 400mg/kg within the previous hour. Patients should be treated symptomatically as required. Within one hour of ingestion of a potentially toxic amount, activated charcoal should be considered. Alternatively, in adults, gastric lavage should be considered within one hour of a potentially life threatening overdose.
Frequent or prolonged convulsions should be treated with intravenous diazepam.
For the most current information, contact the local poison control centre.
Toxicity:
Signs and Symptoms of toxicity have generally not been observed at doses below 100mg/kg in children or in adults. However, supportive care may be needed in some cases. Children have been observed to manifest signs and symptoms of toxicity after ingestion of 400mg/kg or greater.
Symptoms:
Most patients who have ingested significant amounts of ibuprofen will manifest symptoms within 4-6 hours. The most frequently reported symptoms of overdose include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, lethargy and drowsiness. Central nervous system (CNS) effects include headache, tinnitus, dizziness, convulsion and rarely loss of consciousness. Nystagmus, metabolic acidosis, hypothermia, renal effects, gastrointestinal bleeding, coma, apnea and depression of the CNS and respiratory system have also been reported. Hyperkalaemia may develop. Cardiovascular toxicity, including hypotension, bradycardia and tachycardia, has also been reported. In cases of significant overdose, renal failure and liver damage are possible. Large overdoses are generally well tolerated when no other drugs are involved.
Treatment of overdosage:
There is no specific antidote to ibuprofen.
Gastric emptying followed by supportive measures is recommended if the quantity ingested exceeds 400mg/kg within the previous hour. Patients should be treated symptomatically as required. Within one hour of ingestion of a potentially toxic amount, activated charcoal should be considered. Alternatively, in adults, gastric lavage should be considered within one hour of a potentially life threatening overdose.
Frequent or prolonged convulsions should be treated with intravenous diazepam.
For the most current information, contact the local poison control centre.