Children’s Ibuprofen Dosage: How Much Is Safe for Kids?
Key takeaways:
Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) is an over-the-counter (OTC) medication that can help with pain and fever in children. Many children can safely take ibuprofen when it’s used as directed.
Children’s ibuprofen dosages are based on body weight and age. You can repeat doses every 6 to 8 hours as needed.
Children’s ibuprofen (ages 2 to 11 years) and infant’s ibuprofen (6 to 23 months in age) provide the recommended dosages on the package. But these two formulations contain different amounts of medication and aren’t interchangeable.
You should confirm your child’s ibuprofen dosage with their pediatrician. They can also answer any questions you may have about giving your child this OTC medication.
Table of contents
Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) is a commonly used medication. It’s available over the counter (OTC) and with a prescription. It works really well for pain and fever. In fact, many people consider ibuprofen to be one of the best OTC pain relievers. Possibly even better than Tylenol (acetaminophen).
But what if your child is the one that needs medication? Can you give them ibuprofen? And what’s the recommended children’s ibuprofen dosage? Let’s discuss.
Is ibuprofen safe to give children?
Usually, yes — but it depends. Like Tylenol, ibuprofen can be given to most children. But there are a few exceptions.
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If your child is younger than 6 months old, they shouldn’t take ibuprofen without a healthcare professional’s OK. Ibuprofen is only FDA approved for children ages 6 months and older. Ibuprofen may be safe for children younger than this. But there’s not a lot of research in that age group.
If your child is allergic to ibuprofen or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), they should avoid ibuprofen. This includes reactions like hives, trouble breathing, or anaphylaxis (swelling of the throat).
What is the correct ibuprofen dose for kids by age?
Recommended ibuprofen dosing is based on a child’s body weight. Some dosing charts also have an age range to help you figure out the dose. You can use this if you aren’t sure of your child’s weight. But if you know their weight, it’s better to use a weight-based dose. You should also confirm the dose with your child’s pediatrician if possible.
For children 6 months to 11 years old, the chart below lists the recommended ibuprofen dosage. Children age 12 and older can follow adult ibuprofen dosages.
Child’s body weight | Child’s age | Infants’ Liquid Ibuprofen Dosage (50 mg per 1.25 mL) | Children’s Liquid Ibuprofen Dosage (100 mg per 5 mL) | Children’s Chewable Ibuprofen Dosage (100 mg per tablet) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
12-17 lbs | 6-11 months | 1.25 mL (50 mg) every 6-8 hours | - | - |
18-23 lbs | 12-23 months | 1.875 mL (75 mg) every 6-8 hours | - | - |
24-35 lbs | 2-3 years | - | 5 mL (100 mg) every 6-8 hours | 1 tablet (100 mg) every 6-8 hours |
36-47 lbs | 4-5 years | - | 7.5 mL (150 mg) every 6-8 hours | 1.5 tablets (150 mg) every 6-8 hours |
48-59 lbs | 6-8 years | - | 10 mL (200 mg) every 6-8 hours | 2 tablets (200 mg) every 6-8 hours |
60-71 lbs | 9-10 years | - | 12.5 mL (250 mg) every 6-8 hours | 2.5 tablets (250 mg) every 6-8 hours |
72-95 lbs | 11 years | - | 15 mL (300 mg) every 6-8 hours | 3 tablets (300 mg) every 6-8 hours |
Trusted children’s ibuprofen brands
There are many different brands of ibuprofen. All brand-name and generic products are considered to work the same. This is because they all contain the same active ingredient: ibuprofen.
Keep in mind that there are many OTC products that have other ingredients along with ibuprofen. For example, some cold medications combine ibuprofen with other ingredients. It’s important to check the OTC label to be sure what medications are in a product.
Here are some common ibuprofen brands:
More about ibuprofen: Learn what physicians have to say about ibuprofen’s safety in kids.
Doses for older kids: If your child is age 12 or older, they can take adult ibuprofen dosages.
How long does it take for ibuprofen to work? Learn the answer to this common question along with tips for taking ibuprofen.
What forms does ibuprofen come in for children?
Children’s ibuprofen comes in a liquid suspension and chewable tablets. It’s important to know that “children’s ibuprofen” and “infants’ ibuprofen” suspensions have different concentrations. Infant’s ibuprofen has more medication in every milliliter (mL).
For example, if you give a child 5 mL of children’s ibuprofen, you’d give them 100 mg. If you give a child 5 mL of infants’ ibuprofen, it would be 200 mg. That’s twice as much medication.
Children’s ibuprofen is intended for children ages 2 to 11 years. Infants’ ibuprofen is intended for children ages 6 months to 23 months. The infant’s formulation is designed so that small children don’t have to swallow as much liquid. This can help make it easier for parents to successfully give a full dose to infants or young toddlers.
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The ibuprofen liquid suspensions come in a few different flavors, as well as dye-free options. Dye-free medications can be helpful if your child is allergic or sensitive to food dyes. There are also a few different flavors of chewable tablets, like grape and orange. There are also dye-free tablets available.
How do you give children liquid ibuprofen?
Here are a few helpful tips on how to give children liquid ibuprofen:
Check to make sure you’re using the correct formulation (infants’ versus children’s) for your child’s body weight and age.
Determine the correct dose, and confirm it with your child’s pediatrician if possible.
Locate your dosing device (e.g., medicine cup, oral syringe). Only use the device provided with the medication. If you’ve lost the device, ask your pharmacist for a replacement.
Shake the liquid well before measuring the dose. Carefully pour out or draw up the dose.
Once you have the dose measured, have the child swallow the dose. This can be easier said than done sometimes. If you’re using a syringe, place the tip of the syringe toward the back of the inner cheek and press the plunger slowly.
If the taste of the liquid is a problem, ask your pharmacist if they offer flavoring services. Many pharmacies can flavor liquid medications if needed. Speak with your pharmacist before mixing ibuprofen with milk, formula, or other food items.
How much ibuprofen can you give a child in tablet or capsule form?
The ibuprofen pill dose for children depends on their body weight and their age. For children age 12 and older, they can use adult forms of ibuprofen, which come as tablets and capsules. The standard dosage is 200 mg to 400 mg (1 to 2 pills) by mouth every 4 to 6 hours. Be careful not to give more than 1,200 mg (6 pills) in a 24-hour period unless a healthcare professional tells you otherwise.
For children ages 2 to 11, it’s recommended to use children’s chewable ibuprofen tablets. The dosing for this product is listed in detail in the chart above. The dosing range is generally between 1 and 3 tablets every 6 to 8 hours, as needed.
If you don’t have access to children’s ibuprofen, is it OK to give a child adult ibuprofen?
For children ages 12 and older, yes. Adult-strength ibuprofen is recommended for people ages 12 and older.
For children younger than 12, it depends. It’s best to use children’s or infant’s ibuprofen products to help you get an accurate dose. These products will also likely taste better to children.
Adult OTC ibuprofen comes as 200 mg tablets. As listed in the chart above, some children may be able to take 200 mg for a dose. But for other kids, you may need to split adult tablets to get the right dose. This could be difficult and cause you to give the wrong dose. And some dosage forms, like capsules or unscored tablets, shouldn’t be cut in half.
What happens if a child takes too much ibuprofen?
Taking too much ibuprofen can cause severe side effects. Generally, side effects of ibuprofen are mild, such as upset stomach and heartburn. Giving doses with food can help lessen these side effects. Taking too much ibuprofen could be dangerous and lead to serious complications.
Problems that can happen from too much ibuprofen include:
Serious bleeding
Serious heart problems, like heart attacks and strokes
What do you do if you give your child too much ibuprofen?
Taking too much ibuprofen can result in a medical emergency. Call 911 right away if your child is displaying any symptoms of an ibuprofen overdose:
Trouble breathing or unexplained breathing changes
A blue color change of the face — such as the lips, mouth, or nose
Severe dizziness
Rapid, uncontrollable eye movements
Even if your child doesn’t have symptoms, they could still have health risks if they’ve taken too much ibuprofen. Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 if you think your child has taken too much ibuprofen.
Frequently asked questions
Adults and children ages 12 and older shouldn’t take more than 1,200 mg (6 pills) of OTC ibuprofen per day. Sometimes, though, a healthcare professional may recommend or prescribe higher doses than this. You should only take the medication this way with their guidance. Maximum ibuprofen dosages for children ages 6 months to 12 years vary based on their body weight and age. Your child’s pediatrician or pharmacist can help recommend a safe dose for your child.
Yes, ibuprofen and other NSAIDs help reduce swelling (inflammation). In fact, they’re often a first-choice medication for managing pain due to inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis. But ibuprofen can also sometimes cause swelling in the hands and feet as a side effect. This is due to water retention and should resolve if you stop taking ibuprofen.
Ibuprofen may start working within 30 minutes of taking a dose. But it may take up to 2 hours to experience meaningful pain relief. And if you’re taking ibuprofen for chronic inflammation, it may take about 1 to 2 weeks before you notice improvement.
The bottom line
Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) works well for relieving pain and fever in children. Most kids ages 6 months and older can safely take this medication.
Children’s ibuprofen dosages are based on their body weight and age. You can repeat doses every 6 to 8 hours as needed. Make sure you follow instructions on the package and use the included measuring device to get the correct dose. And remember that children’s ibuprofen and infants’ ibuprofen aren’t interchangeable. They contain different amounts of medication.
It’s always a good idea to double-check your child’s dose of ibuprofen with their pediatrician. They can ensure that it’s safe for your child to take ibuprofen and confirm the dose based on age, body weight, and medical history.
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References
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