Ibuprofen use in kids
Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, store brands) is a fever reducer and pain reliever; it is also used to treat inflammation. It is commonly used to treat fever and to relieve pain from a variety of causes including immunizations, teething, earache, wounds and injuries, sunburn, headache, etc. It is also used to treat many types of inflammation, such as when tendons or joints are inflamed.
Dosing
As with other children’s medications, the dose (amount of drug given) is based on body weight, and since it comes in different strengths (amount of drug per mL or tsp or tablet), the amount to give your child will depend on both his/her weight and the strength of the medication you are using.
The dosage of ibuprofen is 10 mg per kg of body weight, which is about 4.5 (4 and 1/2) mg per pound. The medication can be given every 6 hours.
Note that it is not usually given to infants less than 6 months old.
Dosing Chart
| Weight (pounds) | Dose (mg) | Infant Drops 50 mg per dropper (1.25 ml) | Children’s liquid 100 mg per tsp (5 ml) | Children’s soft chews 50 mg per tablet | Junior strength chewable tabs 100 mg per tablet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12-17 | 50 mg | 1 dropper (1.25 ml) | 1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) | ||
| 18-23 | 75 mg | 1 1/2 dropper (1.875 ml) | 3/4 tsp (3.75 ml) | ||
| 24-35 | 100 mg | 2 droppers (2.5 ml) | 1 tsp (5 ml) | 2 tablets | |
| 36-47 | 150 mg | 1 1/2 tsp (7.5 ml) | 3 tablets | ||
| 48-59 | 200 mg | 2 tsp (10 ml) | 4 tablets | 2 tablets | |
| 60-71 | 250 mg | 2.5 tsp (12.5 ml) | 5 tablets | 2 1/2 tablets | |
| 72-95 | 300 | 3 tsp (15 ml) | 6 tablets | 3 tablets | |
| adult dose | see bottle |