Naproxen Dosing for an 11-Year-Old Child
For an 11-year-old child, administer naproxen at approximately 5 mg/kg twice daily, which typically translates to 250 mg twice daily for most children in this age group. 1
Weight-Based Dosing Strategy
- The FDA-approved dosing for juvenile arthritis is approximately 10 mg/kg per day given in 2 divided doses (5 mg/kg twice daily). 1
- For an average 11-year-old weighing 35-40 kg, this equates to 175-200 mg per dose, which rounds to 250 mg twice daily using available tablet strengths. 1
- The total daily dose should not exceed 15 mg/kg/day in pediatric patients. 1
Formulation Considerations
- Naproxen tablets are not well suited to precise weight-based dosing in children, so naproxen oral suspension is the preferred formulation when available for more accurate dosing. 1
- If using tablets, round to the nearest available strength (typically 250 mg) rather than attempting to split tablets for precise weight-based dosing. 1
Alternative Dosing for Pain Management
- For acute pain conditions (rather than chronic inflammatory arthritis), the European Society for Paediatric Anaesthesiology recommends 5 to 7.5 mg/kg every 12 hours for naproxen in children. 2
- This aligns with the FDA guidance but provides flexibility toward the higher end of the dosing range for acute painful conditions. 2
Important Safety Considerations
- Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration consistent with treatment goals, as naproxen carries risks of gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and renal adverse effects. 1
- Onset of pain relief typically begins within 1 hour of administration. 1
- Naproxen is substantially excreted by the kidney; monitor renal function if there are concerns about renal impairment. 1
- The drug is well-tolerated in pediatric patients over 2 years of age based on extensive clinical experience. 1, 3
Pharmacokinetic Evidence
- Studies demonstrate no significant difference in naproxen peak blood levels and half-life between adults and children, supporting a twice-daily dosing regimen. 4
- The drug is rapidly and completely absorbed when given orally, with substantial concentrations achieved at the site of action. 5
Clinical Efficacy Data
- Naproxen at 10-20 mg/kg/day has demonstrated effectiveness for treating inflammatory conditions in children, with fever and arthritis typically resolving within 1-2 days of treatment initiation. 3
- The drug has been well-established as effective and well-tolerated in pediatric rheumatic diseases over decades of clinical use. 6, 7