Central nervous system manifestations of an ibuprofen overdose reversed by naloxone

Ibuprofen overdose is usually characterized by GI upset, dizziness, and mild sedation. On rare occasions, severe complications such as respiratory failure, metabolic acidosis, renal failure, coma, and death have been reported in both adults and children. Presently, treatment of acute ibuprofen intoxication with complications requires supportive therapy until the symptoms resolve over 24 to 48 hours. We report the case of an 11-month-old female infant with a depressed level of consciousness after ingestion of ibuprofen whose mental status markedly improved with administration of naloxone.