Ibuprofen Dosing Frequency for a 16-Month-Old
Ibuprofen (Advil) can be given every 6-8 hours to a 16-month-old child, with a maximum of 3-4 doses in 24 hours. 1
Specific Dosing Parameters
- The recommended dose is 10 mg/kg per administration, which can be given every 6-8 hours 1
- The maximum total daily dose should not exceed 30-40 mg/kg per day 2
- For practical administration, this translates to 3-4 doses maximum in a 24-hour period 1, 2
Critical Safety Considerations
- Ibuprofen is only approved for infants older than 3 months of age with body weight above 5-6 kg 2
- Special attention must be given to hydration status - ibuprofen should never be given to children with dehydration, diarrhea, or vomiting 2, 3
- The oral route is strongly preferred over rectal administration in young infants due to erratic absorption with rectal formulations 2
Timing and Administration
- Maximum fever reduction occurs 3-4 hours after administration 4
- Each dose should be separated by at least 6 hours, though 8-hour intervals are acceptable 1
- All dose times should be carefully recorded to avoid accidentally exceeding the maximum recommended daily dose 5
Important Clinical Caveats
- Ibuprofen should not be used as a routine antipyretic except in rare cases - it is primarily indicated for inflammatory pain in children 3
- Contraindications include: neonates, children with wheezing or persistent asthma, during varicella infection, or in patients sensitive to NSAIDs 3
- For fever management in a 16-month-old, acetaminophen may be considered as an alternative, particularly if there are concerns about hydration or gastrointestinal symptoms 6