Pediatric Ibuprofen (Motrin) Dosing
The recommended dose of ibuprofen for children is 10 mg/kg every 6-8 hours orally, with a maximum daily dose of 40 mg/kg/day. 1
Standard Dosing by Age and Weight
Infants and Young Children (≥6 months to <12 years)
- Dose: 10 mg/kg per dose, administered every 6-8 hours 1, 2
- Maximum daily dose: 40 mg/kg/day 1, 3
- Maximum frequency: 3-4 times daily 2
Adolescents (≥12 years) and Children >40 kg
- Dose: 10 mg/kg per dose (maximum 600 mg per dose) 1
- For children weighing >40 kg, use adult dosing recommendations 1
Critical Age-Specific Considerations
Infants 3-6 Months Old
- Ibuprofen is considered safe for short-term use in infants >3 months of age with body weight >5-6 kg 2
- Special attention to hydration is essential in this age group 2
- The effective dose range is 5-10 mg/kg, with 10 mg/kg being most effective 2, 3
Infants <3 Months Old
- Not recommended due to lack of safety data 1
Practical Dosing Details
Onset and Duration of Action
- Peak temperature reduction occurs 3-4 hours after administration 3
- Duration of antipyretic effect: Ibuprofen provides longer fever control than acetaminophen, with sustained effect through 6 hours 4, 5
Route of Administration
- Oral route is preferred 1, 2
- Rectal administration is less reliable due to erratic absorption, especially in young infants 2
Important Safety Warnings
Dosing Frequency Pitfalls
- Do not exceed maximum recommended doses: Studies show 8-11% of parents inadvertently exceed maximum daily doses when using multiple antipyretics 4
- Carefully record all dose times to prevent accidental overdosing 4
- Maximum of 3-4 doses in 24 hours 2
Hydration Status
- Ensure adequate hydration before and during ibuprofen use, particularly in infants 3-6 months old 2
Comparative Safety
- Ibuprofen has a favorable safety profile comparable to acetaminophen at standard doses 6
- Better tolerated by children than adults and safer in overdose than acetaminophen or aspirin 3
- Low risk for serious gastrointestinal, renal, and hepatic adverse events at recommended doses 6
Combination Therapy Considerations
When fever persists despite monotherapy, combined or alternating ibuprofen with acetaminophen provides 2.5-4.4 additional hours without fever compared to either agent alone 4, 5. However, this increases the risk of dosing errors 4. If using both medications, meticulously document all administration times 4.