From the Research
The recommended weight-based dose of ibuprofen for pediatric patients is 5-10 mg/kg per dose, given every 6-8 hours as needed, with a maximum of 40 mg/kg per day, as supported by the most recent and highest quality study 1.
Key Considerations
- For infants under 6 months, it is recommended to consult a healthcare provider before administration of ibuprofen.
- Ibuprofen is available in various formulations, including liquid suspensions (100 mg/5 mL) for younger children and chewable tablets or pills for older children.
- It is crucial to use an appropriate measuring device for liquid formulations to ensure accurate dosing.
- Ibuprofen should be given with food to minimize gastrointestinal upset.
- This medication works by inhibiting cyclooxygenase enzymes, which reduces prostaglandin production and provides anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic effects.
Important Safety Information
- While generally safe for short-term use, ibuprofen should be avoided in children with certain conditions, including kidney disease, bleeding disorders, or aspirin allergy.
- If fever persists beyond three days or pain beyond five days, medical evaluation is recommended.
Evidence Summary
The study by 1 compared acetaminophen with ibuprofen for the short-term treatment of fever or pain in children younger than 2 years and found that ibuprofen resulted in reduced temperature and less pain within the first 24 hours of treatment, with equivalent safety. Additionally, a study by 2 assessed the efficacy of ibuprofen in obese children and found that adequate pain control was achieved using 5 mg/kg, although more research is needed to guide clinicians prescribing ibuprofen in obese children. Another study by 3 discussed the challenges of dosing medications in pediatric patients with overweight and obesity, highlighting the need for pharmacokinetic analysis and adjusted body weight dosing in certain cases. However, the most recent and highest quality study 1 provides the strongest evidence for the recommended weight-based dose of ibuprofen in pediatric patients.