Ibuprofen Dosing for a 10-Year-Old Weighing 145 Pounds
The recommended dose of ibuprofen for a 10-year-old child weighing 145 pounds (66 kg) is 600 mg every 8 hours, not to exceed 2400 mg per day. 1
Dosing Considerations Based on Weight and Age
- For children weighing more than 40 kg (88 lb), adult dosing should be used 1
- The standard pediatric dose of ibuprofen is 10 mg/kg every 8 hours 2, 1
- For this 10-year-old weighing 145 pounds (66 kg):
Administration Guidelines
- Ibuprofen should be given with food or milk to minimize gastrointestinal side effects 3
- The oral route is preferred over rectal administration due to more reliable absorption 4
- Each dose should be carefully measured and recorded to avoid accidentally exceeding the maximum recommended dose 5
Safety Considerations
- Ibuprofen has been shown to be as effective as or more effective than acetaminophen for pain and fever relief with a longer duration of action 6
- Monitor for potential side effects including:
- Gastrointestinal discomfort or pain
- Nausea
- Potential renal effects with prolonged use 3
- Ensure adequate hydration while taking ibuprofen 4
- Short-term use at recommended doses has a good safety profile 3
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Parental misdosing is common (51% in one study), particularly underdosing which can lead to inadequate symptom relief 7
- Weight-based dosing is more accurate than age-based dosing, especially for children who are larger or smaller than average for their age 7
- Avoid exceeding the maximum daily dose of 40 mg/kg/day or 2400 mg/day (whichever is less) 1
- Do not administer ibuprofen concurrently with other NSAIDs as this increases risk of side effects 3