Brufen Syrup Uses & Pediatric Dose by Weight (Pakistan)
Brufen Syrup (Ibuprofen 100 mg/5 mL) is one of the most-used paediatric fever and pain medicines in Pakistan, but most parents dose by age, not weight. This guide gives the correct weight-based dose, when to use it, and when to avoid it.
Table of Contents
- What is Brufen Syrup?
- Brufen Syrup Dose by Weight (Bachon ki Sahi Khurak): The Correct Way
- When to Use Brufen Syrup (Bachon ka Bukhar Kab Brufen se Theek Hota Hai)
- Brufen Syrup vs Calpol (Paracetamol): Which to Use?
- Side Effects of Brufen Syrup in Children
- Brufen Syrup Price in Pakistan (2026)
- Related medicines & tools
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I give Brufen and Calpol together?
- How fast does Brufen Syrup bring down fever?
- Can I give Brufen Syrup if my child has diarrhoea?
- Is Brufen Syrup safe for a 4-month-old?
- How do I find my child's weight if I don't have a scale?
- Can I give Brufen Syrup for chickenpox?
- My child won't take the syrup, what can I do?
- Can Brufen Syrup be stored after opening?
- Is generic ibuprofen syrup as good as Brufen?
- When should I take my child to hospital instead of giving syrup?
Quick Answer
Brufen Syrup (Abbott Pakistan's brand of Ibuprofen 100 mg/5 mL) treats fever and mild-to-moderate pain in children. The correct paediatric dose is 5–10 mg/kg every 6–8 hours, calculated by the child's WEIGHT, not their age. For a 10 kg child that's 2.5–5 mL per dose. Maximum 4 doses in 24 hours. Avoid in children under 3 months, in dengue, in dehydration, kidney disease, or asthma. NEVER use ibuprofen alongside aspirin.
Brufen Syrup is in almost every Pakistani parent's medicine cabinet. But two common errors keep showing up in paediatric emergency rooms: dosing by age instead of weight (a stocky 6-year-old can weigh as much as an average 9-year-old, so age-based dosing under-doses some children and overdoses others), and using ibuprofen in dengue (which is endemic in Pakistan and where ibuprofen is contraindicated because it worsens bleeding). Here is the weight-based dose your paediatrician would write, the situations where ibuprofen is the wrong call, and the cleaner switch to paracetamol when it is.
What is Brufen Syrup?
Brufen Syrup is Abbott Pakistan's DRAP-registered paediatric formulation of Ibuprofen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). The standard concentration is 100 mg ibuprofen per 5 mL of syrup. Ibuprofen reduces fever, relieves mild-to-moderate pain, and reduces inflammation, useful in fever, ear infection pain, sore throat pain (viral), teething pain, and post-vaccination soreness.
Brufen Syrup Dose by Weight (Bachon ki Sahi Khurak): The Correct Way
| Child weight (kg) | Single dose (mL) | Approximate age | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5–7 kg | 2.5 mL | 3–6 months | Every 6–8 hours (max 4×/day) |
| 8–10 kg | 3.75 mL | 6–12 months | Every 6–8 hours |
| 11–15 kg | 5 mL | 1–3 years | Every 6–8 hours |
| 16–21 kg | 7.5 mL | 3–6 years | Every 6–8 hours |
| 22–29 kg | 10 mL | 6–9 years | Every 6–8 hours |
| 30–40 kg | 12.5 mL | 9–12 years | Every 6–8 hours |
| 40+ kg | 15 mL (or 200 mg tablet) | 12+ years | Every 6–8 hours |
Always use the supplied dosing syringe
Use the marked dosing syringe that comes with the bottle, not a kitchen teaspoon. A standard 'teaspoon' varies from 3 to 8 mL across different households, that's a 2.5× error margin on a 5 mL dose. Wash the syringe with warm water after each use and air-dry.
When to Use Brufen Syrup (Bachon ka Bukhar Kab Brufen se Theek Hota Hai)
- Fever above 38.5 °C with discomfort (Brufen lasts ~6–8 hours, paracetamol ~4–6 hours).
- Ear infection pain, ibuprofen is superior for inflammation pain.
- Teething pain after 6 months of age.
- Post-vaccination soreness or low-grade fever.
- Sore throat (viral), but check for streptococcal angina first.
- Mild headache or muscle ache after exertion.
Do NOT use Brufen Syrup if
Suspected dengue (use only paracetamol, Brufen worsens bleeding); child under 3 months old; severe dehydration or vomiting (NSAIDs stress dehydrated kidneys); history of asthma exacerbated by ibuprofen; active stomach ulcer; severe kidney disease; bleeding disorders; chickenpox (Reye-like risk). If your child has fever during August–November in Pakistan, get a dengue NS1 test before using any NSAID.
Brufen Syrup vs Calpol (Paracetamol): Which to Use?
| Situation | First choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Fever, otherwise well | Either, alternate if needed | Both effective; Calpol gentler on stomach |
| Fever during dengue season | Calpol only | Brufen unsafe in dengue |
| Ear infection pain | Brufen | Anti-inflammatory effect on middle ear |
| Post-vaccination fever | Calpol | WHO preference; gentler |
| Teething pain | Either | Both effective |
| Asthmatic child | Calpol | Brufen can trigger bronchospasm |
| Child with vomiting | Calpol (or suppository) | Brufen needs full stomach |
Side Effects of Brufen Syrup in Children
Common, usually mild: mild stomach upset, nausea, occasional vomiting. Serious, stop the syrup and see a doctor: black or tarry stools (GI bleeding, rare in children at correct doses); persistent abdominal pain; reduced urine output (dehydration + NSAID = kidney stress); rash, swelling, breathing trouble (allergic reaction); wheeze in known asthmatics (ibuprofen-induced bronchospasm).
Brufen Syrup Price in Pakistan (2026)
Brufen Syrup 60 mL retails at approximately Rs. 130–180 per bottle in 2026. The 120 mL bottle is Rs. 220–290. Generic ibuprofen syrups (Pediafen, Profen-P, Ibupain) cost Rs. 80–140 per 60 mL and are DRAP-bioequivalent. For chronic users (children with frequent fever cycles), generics work fine, just verify the DRAP registration on the bottle.
Related medicines & tools
Medicine Reference
Calpol (Paracetamol Syrup)
Paracetamol-based, first choice in dengue and asthma.
View encyclopedia entryMedicine Reference
Brufen Tablet
Adult ibuprofen, switch from syrup at 12+ years.
View encyclopedia entryFor exact dosing, use the PakVita Paediatric Dose Calculator, enter the child's weight and it returns the correct mL for Brufen Syrup and Calpol Syrup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I give Brufen and Calpol together?
Yes, but alternated, not at the same time. The safest pattern for stubborn fever is one dose of Calpol, then Brufen four hours later, then Calpol four hours after that. This keeps temperature controlled without overdosing either drug. Always record the time you give each dose.
How fast does Brufen Syrup bring down fever?
Most children show a 1–1.5 °C drop within 60–90 minutes. Peak effect at 2 hours; relief lasts 6–8 hours. If fever is unresponsive to two consecutive doses, see a doctor, your child may have a serious infection needing further evaluation.
Can I give Brufen Syrup if my child has diarrhoea?
Be cautious. Diarrhoea + vomiting can cause dehydration, and ibuprofen stresses dehydrated kidneys. If the child has multiple loose motions, switch to paracetamol and focus on ORS rehydration. See a paediatrician for persistent diarrhoea.
Is Brufen Syrup safe for a 4-month-old?
Generally not. The standard guideline is to use ibuprofen only in infants over 3 months, and many paediatricians prefer paracetamol-only dosing under 6 months. Always consult your paediatrician for infants under 6 months.
How do I find my child's weight if I don't have a scale?
Visit any pharmacy or clinic, most have a paediatric weighing scale. Or use the PakVita Child Growth Percentile tool for an age-and-sex-adjusted weight check. Approximate dosing by age is risky for children whose weight is off the average for their age.
Can I give Brufen Syrup for chickenpox?
No. Like aspirin, ibuprofen has been linked with worse outcomes in children with chickenpox and other viral fevers. Use paracetamol only during chickenpox, and avoid all NSAIDs until the rash clears.
My child won't take the syrup, what can I do?
Try chilling the bottle briefly (the cold dulls bitterness); mix the dose into a teaspoon of jam, honey (for children over 1 year), or yogurt; or use a syringe and squirt slowly into the cheek (not the back of the throat, that triggers gagging). If repeated attempts fail, see a paediatrician, a Calpol suppository may be needed.
Can Brufen Syrup be stored after opening?
Once opened, use within 3 months and store below 30 °C, away from direct sunlight. Tightly cap after each use. Discard any leftover after 3 months even if there's syrup left.
Is generic ibuprofen syrup as good as Brufen?
Yes, DRAP-bioequivalent generics (Pediafen, Profen-P, Ibupain) are clinically identical. The brand premium for Brufen pays for Abbott's quality consistency. Check DRAP registration on the bottle before buying.
When should I take my child to hospital instead of giving syrup?
Take to hospital if: fever over 39.5 °C unresponsive to two doses; child under 3 months with any fever; signs of dengue (rash, severe body ache, bleeding gums, vomiting); difficulty breathing; seizures; severe lethargy or stiff neck; reduced wet nappies for 8+ hours. Don't wait, paediatric red flags need immediate evaluation.
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Medical disclaimer
Ye article sirf educational maqsad ke liye hai. Personal diagnosis, dosing, aur treatment decision ke liye doctor se mashwara karein.
