Ibuprofen Dosing for a 6-Year-Old Child
For a 6-year-old child, administer ibuprofen at 10 mg/kg per dose orally every 6-8 hours, with a maximum of 40 mg/kg per day. 1
Specific Dosing Algorithm
Weight-based dosing is essential:
- Calculate the child's weight in kilograms 1
- Administer 10 mg/kg per dose 1, 2
- Repeat every 6-8 hours as needed (maximum 3-4 doses per 24 hours) 1, 3
- Do not exceed 40 mg/kg total daily dose 1, 3
Practical Example
For a typical 6-year-old weighing approximately 20 kg:
Clinical Efficacy Considerations
Onset and duration of action:
- Maximum fever reduction occurs 3-4 hours after administration 2
- Ibuprofen provides longer duration of action compared to paracetamol (acetaminophen) 2
- The effective dose range is 7.5-10 mg/kg, with 10 mg/kg being optimal 2
Comparative effectiveness:
- Ibuprofen is equally effective or superior to paracetamol for fever and pain relief 2, 4
- When used alone, ibuprofen provides approximately 2.5 hours more time without fever over 24 hours compared to paracetamol 4
Safety Profile
Ibuprofen is well-tolerated in children aged 6 years:
- Better tolerated by children than adults 2
- Safer in overdose than paracetamol or aspirin 2
- Short-term use is considered safe when attention is given to hydration 3
Critical Safety Warnings
Avoid exceeding maximum doses:
- In clinical trials, 11% of parents inadvertently exceeded the maximum recommended number of doses 4
- Record all dose times carefully to prevent accidental overdosing 4
- Consider using a dosing chart to track administration times 4
Route of Administration
Oral route is preferred:
- Use oral liquid formulation for accurate weight-based dosing 1, 3
- Avoid rectal administration due to erratic absorption, especially in younger children 3