Ibuprofen Dosing for a 33-Pound Child
For a child weighing 33 pounds (15 kg), administer 150 mg of ibuprofen per dose (10 mg/kg), which can be given every 6-8 hours, not exceeding 4 doses in 24 hours (maximum daily dose 600 mg or 40 mg/kg). 1
Dose Calculation
- Weight conversion: 33 pounds = 15 kg
- Dose calculation: 15 kg × 10 mg/kg = 150 mg per dose 1
- This falls within the established effective dose range of 7.5-10 mg/kg for children 2
Dosing Schedule and Administration
- Frequency: Administer every 6-8 hours 1
- Maximum doses:
- Route: Oral administration is preferred, as rectal absorption is erratic and less reliable, especially in young children 3
- With food: Consider giving with meals to improve gastrointestinal tolerability 4
Clinical Context and Timing
- Peak effect: Maximum temperature reduction occurs 3-4 hours after administration 2
- Duration of action: Ibuprofen has a longer duration of action compared to paracetamol 2
- Efficacy: At 10 mg/kg dosing, ibuprofen is equally or more effective than paracetamol as an antipyretic and analgesic 2, 5
Safety Considerations
- Short-term use: Ibuprofen is considered safe for short-term use (days to 1-2 weeks) in children over 3 months weighing above 5-6 kg when attention is given to hydration 3
- Hydration: Ensure adequate hydration to minimize renal risks 3
- Monitoring for longer use: If treatment extends beyond 1-2 weeks, monitor CBC, liver function, and renal function every 3 months 6
- Contraindications: Avoid in active peptic ulcer disease or history of gastrointestinal bleeding 6
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Dose recording: Carefully document all dose times to prevent accidentally exceeding the maximum recommended daily dose, which occurred in 8% of children in one study 5
- Rectal route: Avoid rectal administration due to unreliable absorption 3
- Underdosing: Using less than 10 mg/kg may result in suboptimal fever and pain control 2