Recommended Dosage of Rofinac (Ibuprofen) for Children
The recommended dosage of Rofinac (ibuprofen) for children is 10-15 mg/kg per dose given every 6-8 hours, with a maximum daily dose of 40 mg/kg/day.
Dosage Guidelines by Age and Weight
Ibuprofen dosing for children should be carefully calculated based on the child's weight rather than age alone. Here is the specific dosing information:
For Children 6 Months to 12 Years:
- Dose: 10-15 mg/kg/dose
- Frequency: Every 6-8 hours as needed
- Maximum daily dose: 40 mg/kg/day
- Maximum single dose: Should not exceed 600 mg
Weight-Based Dosing Chart:
- <15 kg: 100-150 mg per dose
- 15-23 kg: 150-200 mg per dose
- 23-40 kg: 200-400 mg per dose
- >40 kg: 400-600 mg per dose
Clinical Considerations
Indications for Use
Ibuprofen is appropriate for:
- Mild to moderate pain
- Inflammatory conditions (such as juvenile idiopathic arthritis)
- Fever reduction
Duration of Treatment
- For mild conditions and fever: Short-term use (3-5 days)
- For chronic inflammatory conditions: Longer courses may be needed under medical supervision 1
- Treatment courses of 10 days have been well-studied for inflammatory conditions 2
Safety Considerations and Contraindications
Ibuprofen should NOT be administered to children with:
- Dehydration (particularly with vomiting and diarrhea) 1
- Known hypersensitivity to NSAIDs
- Active gastrointestinal bleeding or ulceration
- Severe renal impairment
- Varicella (chicken pox) 1
- Persistent asthma or wheezing 1
- Age less than 3 months 1
Monitoring and Follow-up
- Children on ibuprofen therapy should show clinical improvement within 48-72 hours 2
- If no improvement is seen or condition worsens, further evaluation is warranted
- For chronic use, monitor for gastrointestinal and renal adverse effects
Adverse Effects
While ibuprofen has a relatively good safety profile compared to other NSAIDs 3, potential adverse effects include:
- Gastrointestinal issues (diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea)
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Rash
- Renal impairment (especially in dehydrated children)
Practical Administration Tips
- Administer with food to minimize gastrointestinal side effects
- Use appropriate measuring devices for liquid formulations
- For children who cannot swallow tablets, liquid formulations are preferred
- Ensure adequate hydration during treatment
Important Cautions
- Avoid using ibuprofen solely as an antipyretic except in rare cases 1
- Do not administer to children with dehydration as this significantly increases risk of renal damage 1, 3
- For fever management, ibuprofen should not be the first choice; acetaminophen is generally preferred for simple fever reduction 4
Remember that ibuprofen is most appropriate when there is an inflammatory component to the pain or condition being treated 3.