Ibuprofen (Advil) Dosing for Children
The recommended dose of ibuprofen for children is 10 mg/kg per dose, administered every 6-8 hours, with a maximum of 3-4 doses per day (total daily dose 30-40 mg/kg). 1, 2
Standard Dosing Parameters
- Per-dose amount: 10 mg/kg is the standard recommended dose 1
- Dosing interval: Every 6-8 hours 1, 2
- Maximum daily dose: 30-40 mg/kg per day (not to exceed 3-4 doses in 24 hours) 2
- Route of administration: Oral is preferred; rectal administration is less reliable due to erratic absorption 2
Age and Weight Restrictions
- Minimum age: Ibuprofen is generally not recommended for infants under 6 months 1
- Infants 3-6 months: May be used if body weight is above 5-6 kg, with special attention to hydration 2
- Weight-based dosing: Always calculate dose based on actual body weight, not age 3
Effective Dose Range
The effective dose range based on clinical trials is 5-10 mg/kg per dose 4, 2:
- Lower range (5 mg/kg): Provides adequate antipyretic effect but less robust 2
- Standard dose (10 mg/kg): Optimal balance of efficacy and safety 1, 5
- Maximum single dose: Should not exceed 10 mg/kg 2, 5
Comparative Efficacy
- Fever reduction: Ibuprofen 5-10 mg/kg is more effective than acetaminophen 10-15 mg/kg at reducing temperature at 2,4, and 6 hours post-treatment 5
- Pain relief: Ibuprofen 4-10 mg/kg shows comparable efficacy to acetaminophen 7-15 mg/kg for moderate to severe pain 5
- Duration of action: Maximum temperature reduction occurs 3-4 hours after administration, with longer duration than acetaminophen 4
Critical Safety Considerations
Common pitfall: Parents frequently misdose antipyretics, with 26% of children receiving inaccurate ibuprofen doses 3. To avoid this:
- Always emphasize weight-based dosing rather than age-based dosing 3
- Provide written documentation of exact dose times when using multiple antipyretics 6
- Ensure adequate hydration, especially in infants 3-6 months old 2
When to Use Both Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen
If alternating medications is necessary 1: