Ibuprofen Dosing for a 9-Year-Old Child
For a 9-year-old child, the recommended dose of ibuprofen is 10 mg/kg every 8 hours, with a maximum of three doses in 24 hours. 1
Weight-Based Dosing Calculation
- The appropriate dose should be calculated based on the child's weight
- Formula: 10 mg/kg × weight in kg = dose per administration
- For example:
- A 9-year-old weighing 30 kg would receive 300 mg per dose
- A 9-year-old weighing 35 kg would receive 350 mg per dose
Administration Guidelines
- Give ibuprofen with food to minimize gastrointestinal side effects
- Available forms include tablets, capsules, or liquid formulation
- Regular dosing provides better symptom control than as-needed dosing for acute pain or fever 1
- The analgesic and antipyretic effect typically lasts 6-8 hours 1
Maximum Daily Dose
- The maximum daily dose should not exceed 1200-1500 mg per day 1
- No more than 3 doses should be given in a 24-hour period
- Carefully record all dose times to avoid accidentally exceeding the maximum recommended dose
Safety Considerations
- Ibuprofen is generally well-tolerated in children with a safety profile comparable to acetaminophen at recommended doses 1
- Ensure adequate hydration while taking ibuprofen
- Avoid ibuprofen in children with:
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Underdosing (which may result in inadequate symptom relief)
- Exceeding the maximum daily dose
- Failing to adjust the dose according to the child's weight
- Administering on an empty stomach (increases risk of GI side effects)
- Using multiple NSAID products simultaneously
Ibuprofen has been shown to be as effective or more effective than acetaminophen for both pain relief and fever reduction in children 1, 3. Clinical studies have demonstrated that the effective dose range is 7.5-10 mg/kg, with maximum temperature reduction occurring 3-4 hours after administration 3.