When the doctor tells you that your newborn baby has a small problem in his heart, a hole (PDA), you must have felt a lot of fear and anxiety. When he tells you that he will give you an injection of a medicine called Ibuprofen Lysine as a treatment for it, it is very normal for many other questions to arise in your mind. Don't be afraid. As a mother or father, it is reasonable for you to feel that way. Today, we will talk about this medicine, what it does, and the things we need to be careful about, in a simple way that you can understand.
Why is Ibuprofen Lysine given to babies?
Simply put, when our babies are in their mothers' wombs, they have a small connection, or duct, between two of the main blood vessels near their hearts. This is what we medically call a Patent Ductus Arteriosus , or PDA for short. After the baby is born, this duct usually closes on its own within a few days.
But in some babies, especially premature babies, this tube does not close on its own. Then the heart and lungs have to work harder. This is what this medicine called Ibuprofen Lysine does to help close that open blood vessel (PDA). This belongs to the group of drugs called NSAIDs, and is a special injection developed for this specific condition.
Things doctors need to know before prescribing medicine
This medicine is given under the direct supervision of the doctors and nursing staff at the hospital. So you don't have to worry. However, it is very important that they are aware of your baby's complete health condition. Especially tell them about the following conditions in advance:
- If the baby has any bleeding problems (for example, a condition where the blood does not clot easily).
- If you have other heart conditions.
- An existing infection .
- If you have any kidney or liver disease.
- If you have stomach problems .
- If you have had a previous allergy to ibuprofen or other NSAID medications, any other medicine, or any food.
Sharing this information with your doctor is very important for the baby's safety.
How is this medicine given?
This is not a medicine to be used at home. It is only given in the hospital.
This medicine is given to your baby as an intravenous infusion, just like a saline solution. The entire process takes place in the hospital, often under the close supervision of specialist doctors and nursing staff in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) or special care unit (SCBU). So you don't have to worry about how it will be given to you.
Since this is given in the exact dosage in the hospital, you don't need to worry about an overdose. However, in the rare case that such a thing is suspected, there is a medical team to take care of it. In general, if you need urgent information about any medicine, you can call the National Poisons Information Center at the Colombo National Hospital .
Other drugs that may interact with this medicine (Drug Interactions)
If your baby is taking medication for another medical condition, it is important to tell your doctor about it. Some medications can interact with Ibuprofen Lysine. This can change the way the medicine works or increase side effects.
| Type of medicine | Why should you care? |
|---|---|
| Aspirin and similar medications | The risk of bleeding may increase. |
| Some types of antibiotics | May affect the kidneys. |
| Digoxin (a medicine for heart disease) | Digoxin levels may increase in the body. |
| Diuretics | The effect on the kidneys may increase. |
| Medicines that prevent blood clotting (e.g. Warfarin) | The risk of bleeding can be greatly increased. |
| Other NSAIDs (e.g., generic Ibuprofen, Naproxen) | Increases the risk of side effects. |
| Steroid medications (e.g. Prednisone, Cortisone) | Increases the risk of intestinal bleeding. |
Side effects of the medicine
As with any medication, there are potential side effects. But since your baby is under medical supervision, they can identify and manage these quickly. It's important that you are aware of this as well.
| Serious side effects that you should report to your doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Side effect | Symptoms you may see |
| Allergic Reactions | Skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Bleeding | Black or bloody stools, vomiting blood that looks like coffee grounds, red/dark brown urine, small red/purple spots on the skin, and unexplained bruising or bleeding. |
| Kidney Injury | Decreased urine output, swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet. |
| Low Adrenal Gland Function | Nausea, vomiting, refusal to drink milk, unusual weakness or fatigue, dizziness. |
| Difficulty breathing | The baby is having difficulty breathing or breathing rapidly. |
This list includes things to be especially careful about. In addition, if you notice anything unusual in your baby's body, inform the medical team about it.
Take-Home Message
- Ibuprofen Lysine is a special, very important medicine that is given to newborns to treat a congenital heart defect called PDA.
- This is given as an intravenous injection in a hospital, under medical supervision. So don't worry about your baby's safety.
- During treatment, the medical team constantly monitors the baby and performs all necessary tests.
- If you notice anything in your baby, such as bleeding, difficulty breathing, or signs of a severe allergy, notify the doctor or nurse immediately.
- Talk openly and clearly with the doctor treating your baby about any questions or concerns you may have. Your awareness is a great strength for your baby's well-being.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න