Some anti-inflammatory drugs may have negative effects in children. Parents are encouraged to speak with their child’s physician about the risks and benefits of using anti-inflammatories. Some of the regularly used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that may put children at an increased risk include:

• Aspirin. Aspirin has been linked to incidences of Reye’s syndrome (a disease that affects all organs and causes swelling of the brain and liver) in children. Children should not use aspirin if they have the flu or viral illnesses (e.g., chicken pox).
  
  
• Phenylbutazone. This type of NSAID is not recommended for use in children under the age of 15.
  
  
• Naproxen. Children under the age of 2 have an increased risk of developing a skin rash when using this drug.
  
  
• Oxaprozin. Little information is available about use of this drug in children under 2 years of age. However, the drug has been safely used in older children who suffer from arthritis.
  
  
• Indomethacin and tolmetin. Little information is available about use of these NSAIDs in children under 2 years of age. Older children who have used these drugs have experienced the same side effects as adults.
  
  
• Ibuprofen. This NSAID has not been tested in children under 6 months of age. However, the drug has been tested in older children without demonstrating side effects different than those associated with adults.

Children who are using corticosteroid drugs and contract certain infections (e.g., measles, chickenpox) may experience more severe infections. To avoid this, a physician may recommend vaccinations for some types of infection or suggest an alternative treatment, if appropriate.

Children and teenagers who take corticosteroids can experience slowed growth, particularly if the medication has been taken for a long period of time. This is due to the medication’s interference with the function of the adrenal glands.

An injection of corticosteroids is often given to young children who have difficulty swallowing the foul-tasting liquid form of the medication. Some children vomit after taking the liquid form. The effectiveness of a corticosteroid injection is comparable to the liquid form.