From the Research
Ibuprofen can be safely administered to pediatric patients as young as 3 months of age, with a body weight above 5-6 kg, at a dose of 5-10 mg/kg, as supported by the most recent and highest quality study 1.
Key Considerations
- When giving ibuprofen to children, use the appropriate children's formulation and follow the dosing instructions based on the child's weight rather than age for the most accurate dosing.
- The typical dose is 5-10 mg per kilogram of body weight every 6-8 hours, not exceeding 4 doses in 24 hours.
- Always use the measuring device provided with the medication for accurate dosing.
- Ibuprofen works by reducing inflammation and blocking pain signals, making it effective for fever reduction and pain relief.
Important Safety Precautions
- Avoid giving ibuprofen to children who are dehydrated or vomiting.
- Never use adult formulations for children unless specifically directed by a healthcare provider.
- If symptoms persist beyond 3 days or worsen, seek medical advice.
Evidence-Based Recommendations
- A study published in 2023 1 evaluated the pharmacokinetics and safety of intravenous ibuprofen in infants 1-6 months of age and found that the pharmacokinetic and short-term safety profiles of IV ibuprofen in pediatric patients 1-6 months of age are comparable to those in children older than 6 months of age.
- Another study published in 2020 2 compared acetaminophen with ibuprofen for the 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.
- However, the most recent and highest quality study 1 provides the strongest evidence for the safe administration of ibuprofen to pediatric patients as young as 3 months of age.