Infants' ibuprofen dosage, forms, and strengths
Key takeaways
Ibuprofen is approved for use in infants 6 months of age and older.
Infants can be given liquid ibuprofen, either drops or suspension, but infant ibuprofen drops are specifically intended for their age group.
Infants’ ibuprofen drops contain a different concentration of the drug than children’s ibuprofen suspension, so an overdose can occur if care is not taken to be mindful of which formulation is used.
Weight-based dosing of ibuprofen is always recommended as the most precise and safest method.
An over-the-counter analgesic for pain relief and antipyretic for fever reduction, ibuprofen has planted its flag as a staple of the American medicine cabinet. Its use extends all the way down to infants under a year of age, with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval granted for children ages 6 months and older. Off-label use at even younger ages may be recommended by healthcare providers in certain circumstances. Still, the FDA has yet to approve it due to the lack of proven safety. However, Infant ibuprofen can have serious adverse effects, including kidney function, stomach symptoms, and bleeding. Careful dosing is essential for everyone, particularly for the very young. Read on to brush up on how to dose ibuprofen for infants.
Infant ibuprofen forms and strengths
Ibuprofen comes in two different liquid forms, one of which is infant ibuprofen drops. Remember that oral tablets, whether chewable or not, are not an option for this age group. The two liquid formulations are manufactured at different concentrations, and this fact is of the utmost importance to avoid overdose
. Because of their higher concentration, giving an equal volume of infants’ ibuprofen drops provides twice as much drug as the same volume of children’s oral suspension. One teaspoon (5 mL) of infant drops contains 200 mg of ibuprofen, double the 5 mL of children’s liquid suspension. Although they are called infants’ drops, the dose is best administered using a syringe device rather than a dropper for better precision.
Infants’ ibuprofen drops: 50 mg/1.25 mL
Children’s ibuprofen suspension: 100 mg/5 mL
Infant ibuprofen dosage
FDA approval includes infants ages 6 to 12 months of age. Using ibuprofen for infants younger than 6 months should be reserved for cases when a medical provider has recommended it and specified the correct dose.
Standard infant ibuprofen dosage for children ages 6 months old and above: 5 to 10 mg/kg of body weight every six hours as needed for pain or fever
Maximum infant ibuprofen dosage for children ages 6 months old and above: 10 mg/kg of body weight every six hours, with a maximum of four doses or 40 mg/kg of body weight in 24 hours and never to exceed the adult maximum of 2400 mg per day
Calculating the precise dose using the above weight-based dosing guideline is always best. An online calculator can convert a weight in pounds to kilograms. If an exact weight is unknown, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has published a dosing chart based on a range of ages and weights, as illustrated in the following table. The AAP recommends using the weight range, but if the child’s weight range is unknown, then use the age range. Note the two different columns for infants’ drops and children’s suspension.
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Infant ibuprofen dosage by weight |
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|---|---|---|
| Weight/age | Recommended dosage (Infants’ 50 mg/1.25 mL drops) | Recommended dosage (Children’s 100 mg/5 mL suspension) |
| 12 to 17 pounds (6 to 7 kilograms) or 6 to 11 months | 1.25 mL (50 mg) | 2.5 mL (50 mg) |
| 18 to 23 pounds (8 to 10 kilograms) or 12 to 23 months | 1.875 mL (75 mg) | 4 mL (80 mg) |
Infant ibuprofen dosage for analgesia
Ibuprofen and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in its drug class inhibit cyclooxygenase, an enzyme responsible for forming prostaglandins, which are mediators of pain and inflammation in our body. For this indication, infant ibuprofen is typically dosed at 10 mg/kg of body weight.
Infant ibuprofen dosage for fever reduction
Prostaglandins are also part of the chain of chemical reactions that lead to fever. Inhibiting their production with an NSAID can reduce fever intensity. Dosing for this indication is usually at a strength of 5 to 10 mg/kg of body weight.
Infant ibuprofen dosage for juvenile arthritis
Juvenile arthritis is marked by joint pain and inflammation. Ibuprofen is indicated for this disease. The FDA label for ibuprofen states a daily dose range of 30 to 40 mg/kg per day divided into three to four doses, so essentially, an ibuprofen dose of 10 mg/kg of body weight every six hours can also be done for this indication.
Infant ibuprofen dosage restrictions
The use of infant ibuprofen must always take into account a patient’s kidney function. In renal impairment from kidney disease, ibuprofen may need to be avoided. Health conditions, like dehydration, can be an additional stress on kidney function, making ibuprofen use more hazardous. The risks may be higher for patients with liver disease as well. Get the medical advice of your child’s pediatrician before using ibuprofen if kidney or liver disease is present or if dehydration is possible. Acetaminophen might be a recommended alternative in some circumstances.
How to administer infant ibuprofen
Giving the right amount of infant ibuprofen requires a careful approach to ensure proper dosing. The risk of side effects can be minimized by doing so.
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Do not freeze the oral liquid.
Ask your pharmacist if you are unsure how much medicine to give a child. The dose is usually based on weight, not age. Never give more medicine than directed.
Use the dosing chart provided on the product’s packaging or the referenced dosing table from the AAP to help determine the correct dose of ibuprofen.
Missed dose: If a healthcare provider has advised that your child take this medicine regularly, and if a dose is missed, administer it as soon as possible and wait six hours for another dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
Oral liquid: Shake well just before using. Measure with an oral syringe.
Take this medicine with food or milk if it upsets the stomach.
Follow the instructions on the medicine label if you are using this medicine without a prescription.
Prescription ibuprofen should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for the Medication Guide if you do not have one.
Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Use only directed.
Infant ibuprofen dosage FAQs
Infant ibuprofen vs. Infant Advil vs Infant Motrin: What’s the difference in doses?
Infants’ ibuprofen is the generic version of the brand-name Infants’ Advil and Infants’ Motrin. Their concentration and dosing are identical. Similarly, Children’s Advil and Children’s Motrin have a generic equivalent. If a specific brand or generic version is desired but the price seems too steep, show your SingleCare discount card to the pharmacist.
How long does infant ibuprofen take to work?
According to a pharmacokinetic study, the onset of action for ibuprofen can vary somewhat based on age and the particular action, whether analgesic or antipyretic. Ibuprofen is usually effective in about one hour after a dose.
How long does infant ibuprofen stay in your system?
A drug’s half-life is when half the dose is eliminated from the body after a dose. Typically, within five half-lives, most of the drug is gone. Based on a half-life of elimination in infants of 1.3 to 1.8 hours, ibuprofen should only stay in an infant’s system for up to 9 hours.
What happens if I miss a dose of infant ibuprofen?
In most cases, infant ibuprofen is only given as needed, so a set schedule is unnecessary. However, if scheduled doses are advised by your child’s medical provider and a dose is missed, you can give the missed dose immediately and wait at least another 6 hours for another dose.
How long can you take infant ibuprofen?
Ibuprofen therapy is usually limited to a maximum of three days in children. Keeping the duration short can lessen the chance of side effects. Longer durations may be recommended by healthcare providers in some situations.
How do I stop taking infant ibuprofen?
Infant ibuprofen is usually given as needed for certain symptoms, like pain and fever. It can be stopped without fear of withdrawal symptoms. If a doctor has advised regular dosing for a condition like juvenile arthritis, then you should check with the prescribing provider to determine if stopping is advisable.
What is the maximum dosage for infant ibuprofen?
A single dose maximum of 10 mg/kg of body weight is defined for infant ibuprofen. Likewise, its dosing interval should be at most every 6 hours. A daily maximum of 40 mg of ibuprofen per kilogram of body weight should be at most, and the adult maximum is 2400 mg.
Can you overdose on infant ibuprofen?
Dosing must be done cautiously to avoid overdosing. Exceeding the recommended dose can lead to symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal pain, and bleeding. Seek emergency medical care, and call the Poison Helpline at 1-800-222-1222 in overdose cases.
What interacts with infant ibuprofen?
Numerous medications can interact with infant ibuprofen. If your child takes other medications, check with your child’s doctor before administering ibuprofen. Notably, other NSAIDs and anticoagulants should be avoided to lessen the risk of bleeding with concurrent use.
Sources
Infants’ Motrin drug label
, NIH DailyMed (2023)Don’t mix up concentrated “ibuprofen infant drops” with “children’s ibuprofen
, ConsumerMedSafety.org (2024).Ibuprofen dosing table for fever and pain
, American Academy of Pediatrics (2024).Effect of age on ibuprofen pharmacokinetics and antipyretic response
, Journal of Pediatrics (1992).
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