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Giving Ibuprofen to Your Child

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What Is This Medicine For?revision

momandchild The doctor has prescribed a medicine called ibuprofen for your child. Be sure that you read and understand the information below before giving your child this medicine.

What Is This Medicine For?

Ibuprofen is used to relieve pain, inflammation, and fever.

How Much Medicine Do I Give?

The amount of medicine you give your child will depend on her weight or age. Below are suggested dosages. Make sure to check the amount of medicine in the liquid or tablet before giving the dose. Follow the instructions on the actual medicine label for the latest dosage information. Some brands may come in different concentrations, so make sure you read the label closely. Talk to the doctor if you are unsure of how much medicine to give your child.

Age

Weight

Total Dose You Need to Give Your ChildIf using infant drops (50 mg/1.25 ml), you will need to give your child…If using liquid medicine (100 mg/5 ml), you will need to give your child…If using Junior tablets (100 mg per pill), you will need to give your child…

6-11 months

12-17 pounds (5-8 kg)

50 mg

1.25 ml

n/a

n/a

12-23 months

18-23 pounds (8-10 kg)

75 mg

1.875 ml

n/a

n/a

2-3 years

24-35 pounds (11-16 kg)

100 mg

n/a

5 ml (1 teaspoon)

1 tablet

4-5 years

36-47 pounds (16-21 kg)

150 mg

n/a

7.5 ml (1.5 teaspoons)

1.5 tablets

6-8 years

48-59 pounds (22-27 kg)

200 mg

n/a

10 ml (2 teaspoons)

2 tablets

9-10 years

60-71 pounds (27-32 kg)

250 mg

n/a

12.5 ml (2.5 teaspoons)

2.5 tablets

11 years

72-95 pounds (33-43 kg)

300 mg

n/a

15 ml (3 teaspoons)

3 tablets

kg=kilogram; mg=milligram; ml=milliliter

Dose may be given every 6-8 hours. Do not give more than four doses within 24 hours.

For children less than six months old: Ask the doctor for dosing instructions.

For children 12 years old or older: Give 200 mg every 4-6 hours. If needed, you can increase the dose to 400 mg every 4-6 hours.

Are There Side Effects?

Possible side effects include:

What Else Should I Know Before Giving My Child This Medicine?

Talk to the doctor first to make sure you understand how to give the medicine to your child. Also, let your doctor know if your child is taking any other medicines.

How Should I Store This Medicine?

Store the medicine at room temperature (68°F-77°F [20°C-25°C]) in a place that is free from moisture and light. Do not store in the bathroom or kitchen.

When Should I Call A Doctor?

Call the doctor if your child has:

  • Signs of a life-threatening reaction:
    • Wheezing
    • Chest tightness
    • Fever
    • Itching
    • Bad cough
    • Blue skin color
    • Convulsions
    • Swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat
  • Chest pain or pressure
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Really bad stomach pain
  • Swelling or pain in hands or feet
  • Change in speech or vision
  • Eye pain or irritation
  • Black, tarry, or bloody stools
  • Blood in urine
  • Diarrhea
  • Strange bruising or bleeding
  • Rash

Also, call the doctor if your child feels worse or the condition does not improve.

If you think your child may have overdosed, go to the emergency room or call your local poison control center right away.

Revision Information

  • Reviewer: Kari Kassir, MD
  • Review Date: 06/2011 -
  • Update Date: 08/01/2011 -

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

Copyright © EBSCO Publishing
All rights reserved.

RESOURCES

  • American Pharmacists Association Foundation

    http://www.aphafoundation.org/

  • United States Food and Drug Administration

    http://www.fda.gov/

CANADIAN RESOURCES

  • Canadian Pharmacists Association

    http://www.pharmacists.ca/

  • Health Canada

    http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/

References

  • Children’s Motrin dosing chart. In: Physicians’ Desk Reference. 64th ed. Montvale, NJ: PDR Network; 2009: 2044.

  • Ibuprofen. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/. Updated April 11, 2011. Accessed June 10, 2011.

  • Lexi-PALS. Ibuprofen. EBSCO Health Library, Lexi-PALS website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/healthLibrary/. Updated September 10, 2010. Accessed June 10, 2011.

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