Children's Motrin dosage, forms, and strengths

Children’s Motrin (active ingredient: ibuprofen) is a brand-name over-the-counter medication that provides temporary relief from fever or minor aches and pains due to headache, toothache, earache, sore throat, the common cold or flu, or sprains and strains Children’s Motrin is formulated in doses appropriate for children between the ages of 2 and 11. 

Children’s Motrin is a symptom-relief medication only. It is not intended to treat any underlying medical condition that may be causing those symptoms. Children’s Motrin is taken by mouth as a flavored chewable tablet or oral suspension (liquid). It can be taken with or without food.

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Children's Motrin forms and strengths

Children’s Motrin is sold as either a chewable tablet or oral suspension:

• Chewable tablets: 100 milligrams (mg) ibuprofen per tablet available in grape flavor and dye-free grape flavor

• Oral suspension: 100 mg per 5 milliliters (ml) available in bubble gum, grape, berry, and dye-free berry flavor

Children’s Motrin Oral Suspension comes with a 15 ml cup with six marks for measuring the correct dose of medicine.

Dosage for children

Children’s Motrin contains half the dose (100 mg) of adult-strength Motrin (200 mg) and is suitable for children between the ages of 2-11 years. Children younger than 2 can be given Motrin Infants’ Drops or generic infants’ ibuprofen. Ibuprofen infant drops have a higher concentration and are given in very small doses with a medicine syringe or dropper. For liquid dosing, it is important to utilize the dosing cup provided and measure in the manufacturer’s suggested measurement type: milliliters (mLs). Converting the mL dose to teaspoons (tsp) or tablespoons (tbs) and using kitchen utensils to measure could result in inaccurate dosing.

Caregivers should not give more than the recommended dose of Children’s Motrin. No more than four doses should be given in a single 24-hour period.

The dose is determined by weight in pounds (lbs) or age, but weight-based dosing is preferred. If the child’s weight is unknown, dose by age only.

Countries around the world measure weight differently. If you know your child’s weight in another measurement, such as kilograms, you will need to convert to pounds for accurate dosing of the product labeled in America.

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Always ask a healthcare provider before giving Children’s Motrin to a child with liver or kidney problems. The dose may need to be changed, or it may not be safe to give.

Children’s Motrin does not have an age limit; it can be given to infants, adolescents, or adults. However, the product does not include directions or complete warnings for people other than children between the ages of 2 and 11. The manufacturer recommends that a suitable infant or adult Motrin product with age-appropriate instructions be used for children younger than 24 months or adults.

For minor aches, pains, or fever

Children’s Motrin provides temporary relief of fever, chills, and minor aches and pain due to the common cold, flu, headache, toothache, earache, sore throat, and sprains and strains in children between the ages of 2 and 11. 

• Pediatric patients: Dose depends on weight. A single dose is taken every six to eight hours up to a maximum of four doses in 24 hours. 

• Renally-impaired patients: 

  • Creatinine clearance of 30-60 ml/min: use with caution

  • Creatinine clearance less than 30 ml/min: do not use

  • Dialysis patients: do not use

• Hepatically-impaired patients: Do not use

Do not give Children’s Motrin except under the direction of a healthcare provider if the child has any of the following medical conditions:

• Heart disease

• Asthma

• High blood pressure

• Dehydration (due to diarrhea, vomiting, or not drinking enough fluids)

• Stomach problems

• Stomach bleeding

• Kidney problems

• Liver problems

• Bleeding problems

• Stroke 

• Allergic reaction to ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin

Unless instructed by the child’s healthcare provider, do not give Children’s Motrin if the child is taking blood-thinning drugs, diuretics, or other NSAIDs such as aspirin or naproxen. 

How to give Children's Motrin to kids

Children’s Motrin can be given as a chewable tablet or oral suspension (liquid). The oral suspension comes with a medicine cup. Marks on the cup indicate each of the six recommended doses: 2.5 ml, 5 ml, 7.5 ml, 10 ml, 12.5 ml, and 15 ml. When giving Children’s Motrin to a child, consider the following safety and effectiveness tips:

• Read the directions and warnings before giving Children’s Motrin to a child.

• Find the right dose on the chart included with the medication.

• Use the child’s weight in pounds (lbs) to determine the correct dose. Use the child’s age if the weight is unknown. 

• Ask questions to a pharmacist or physician if you’re unsure how much medicine to give a child.

• Check all other medications that are being given to the child. Make sure they do not contain ibuprofen, aspirin, or naproxen. 

• Always check the expiration date. If the medicine has passed its expiration date, dispose of it safely and purchase a new bottle.

• When administering Children’s Motrin Oral Suspension, always shake the bottle well before pouring a dose. The active part of the medicine may settle to the bottom over time.

• Use the child’s weight rather than age to determine the correct dose. If the child’s weight is unknown, weigh the child before dispensing Children’s Motrin.

• Always use the measuring cup or a measuring syringe to accurately measure the dose. Do not use any other kind of device, such as a kitchen spoon. If the medicine cup is lost, a pharmacy can provide a dosing cup or medicine syringe. Using the correct dosing device for the liquid form is critical. One study suggested that more than half of children under the age of 10 years old are dosed incorrectly with fever medications such as Children’s Motrin. It is important to double check the formulation you are giving as well as the dose before administering.

• The chewable tablets may cause a feeling of heartburn when they are swallowed, so keep the child sitting up for 15-30 minutes after taking the tablet to allow the medicine to pass more easily.

• Give this medicine with milk or food if it causes stomach upset. 

• If possible, have another adult check the dosing chart and the measured dose before giving the medicine to the child.

• Record the time each dose is given to make sure that the next dose is not given too early.

Chewable tablets:

• To divide a tablet in half, use the scoring mark across the diameter of the tablet.

• The tablet should be crushed or chewed completely before swallowing.

• The child should drink a small glass of water to fully swallow the medicine.

• Repeat the dose every four to six hours if symptoms continue.

• Do not give more than four doses in a single 24-hour period.

• Keep the tablets out of the reach of children.

Oral suspension:

• Shake the bottle well before use.

• Remove the child-resistant cap from the bottle.

• Pour the liquid to the correct dose mark.

• The child should drink all the liquid in the measuring cup.

• Replace and tighten the child-resistant cap and keep the bottle out of the reach of children

• Repeat the dose every six to eight hours if symptoms persist.

• Do not give more than four doses in a single 24-hour period.

Children's Motrin dosage FAQs

How long does it take Children's Motrin to work?

Taken as a chewable tablet or liquid, ibuprofen (the active ingredient) is absorbed by the body rather quickly. The effects of Children’s Motrin should begin to kick in about 15 to 30 minutes after the medicine is swallowed. Ibuprofen reaches peak effectiveness in one to two hours, but this may be delayed by 30 to 60 minutes if Children’s Motrin is taken with food. The peak levels in the body are 30% to 60% lower when ibuprofen is taken with food, but taking it with food may be needed to prevent stomach upset.

How long does Children's Motrin stay in a child’s system?

At the recommended dosage, the effects of Children’s Motrin last about four to six hours in a child but can last up to eight hours. For safety reasons, Children’s Motrin doses are given every six to eight hours, while most adults can take ibuprofen every four to eight hours. 

Doctors, pharmacists, and other healthcare providers measure how long drugs like Children’s Motrin stay in the system by half-life. This is the measure of how long it takes the body to eliminate half the drug from the body. The half-life of ibuprofen is around two hours, but it is very important to safely give the medicine using the recommended doses. 

What happens if I miss a dose of Children's Motrin?

Keep in mind that Children’s Motrin is a symptom-relief medication. It does not treat any underlying medical condition. The worst that can happen if a dose is missed is that symptoms such as pain and fever return. There is, then, no need to wait if a dose is missed or delayed. Just give the missed dose as soon as you remember. Make sure, however, that the next dose is not given until at least six hours have passed.

How do I stop taking Children's Motrin?

Like any NSAID, Children’s Motrin is best used at the lowest dose possible and only as long as symptoms persist. NSAIDs, like Children’s Motrin, should not be used in large doses or for long periods of time. If symptoms are getting worse or are not improving, talk to a healthcare provider. The child should feel some symptom relief in the first 24 hours. If used as directed, Children’s Motrin can be safely stopped without side effects or withdrawal symptoms.

If a child is being given Children’s Motrin for 15 days or more per month, seek medical help. More appropriate medication may be prescribed, and the healthcare provider can give advice for stopping Children’s Motrin.

In rare cases, Children’s Motrin can cause allergic reactions that may include rash, swelling, or breathing problems. If this happens, stop giving the medication and seek immediate medical attention

What can be used instead of Children’s Motrin?

Ibuprofen, the active medication in Children’s Motrin, is generally safe. Ibuprofen is also the active ingredient in other similar brand names, such as Children’s Advil as well as many generic substitute formulations. Similar drugs, like aspirin and naproxen, are also available as over-the-counter medications. The possible side effects of these medications are similar, so if a child is experiencing problems with Children’s Motrin, the safest alternative may be acetaminophen. Children’s Tylenol is an acetaminophen product formulated for children from the ages of 3 to 11.

What is the maximum dosage for Children's Motrin?

The maximum ibuprofen dosage for children is based on the child’s weight. Caregivers should take care not to exceed the maximum daily dosage, give more than the recommended individual dosage, or give doses less than six hours apart. See the dosage chart above for specific information based on the weight and age of the child.

Other brand-name drugs containing ibuprofen, such as Children’s Advil, are also available. The maximum dosage should take into account doses from any ibuprofen products. It is important to know the active ingredients of the products being given so that a child is not given too much ibuprofen.

What interacts with Children's Motrin?

Ibuprofen is more quickly absorbed into the body and reaches peak effectiveness faster when taken without food. However, when taken on an empty stomach, ibuprofen is more likely to cause stomach upset or pain. Many caregivers, then, choose to give Children’s Motrin with food to prevent stomach problems. 

Few drugs are usually prescribed to children that would decrease ibuprofen’s effectiveness as a pain reliever. On the other hand, caffeine, a common ingredient in sodas and energy drinks, may increase the pain-relieving properties of ibuprofen, especially in headaches. Drinks that contain caffeine should be given cautiously, if at all, to children.

Like all drugs, Children’s Motrin will interact with some medicines. Caregivers should seek medical advice from the child’s doctor or a pharmacist when giving more than one over-the-counter or prescription drug to a child.

Children’s Motrin should not be given together with other drugs that contain ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen, or other NSAIDs. This raises the risk of stomach bleeding and ulcers and interferes with the body’s ability to form blood clots. Bleeding and bruising can become a serious problem if NSAID doses are too high.

For the same reason, Children’s Motrin should be avoided if the child is taking blood-thinning medications, has bleeding problems, or is taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) to treat depression or anxiety. Besides drugs that cause bleeding, many dietary or herbal supplements also have anticoagulant properties and should not be used together with Children’s Motrin. 

Finally, the manufacturer warns that Children’s Motrin should not be combined with corticosteroids such as hydrocortisone or fluticasone. The combination will increase the risk of ibuprofen’s gastrointestinal side effects.