Ibuprofen Syrup Dosing for a 3-Year-Old
For a 3-year-old child, administer ibuprofen syrup at 10 mg/kg per dose orally, given every 6-8 hours as needed, with a maximum daily dose of 40 mg/kg/day. 1, 2
Weight-Based Dosing Algorithm
- Calculate the dose based on the child's weight: Use 10 mg/kg per dose as the standard recommendation 1, 2
- Dosing interval: Administer every 6-8 hours (meaning 3-4 times daily maximum) 1, 2
- Maximum daily dose: Do not exceed 40 mg/kg/day total 1
- For children weighing more than 40 kg: Use adult dosing instead 2
Practical Dosing Example
If the 3-year-old weighs 15 kg:
- Single dose = 10 mg/kg × 15 kg = 150 mg per dose
- Can be given every 6-8 hours
- Maximum daily = 40 mg/kg × 15 kg = 600 mg/day 1
Route of Administration
- Oral syrup is the preferred formulation for consistent absorption and reliable therapeutic effect 2
- Rectal administration should be avoided due to erratic absorption, particularly in young children 3
Safety Considerations for This Age Group
- Ibuprofen is safe for children 3 months and older with body weight above 5-6 kg, provided special attention is given to hydration status 3
- The 3-year-old age group falls well within the established safety profile for ibuprofen use 1, 2
- Short-term use for fever and pain relief has been extensively studied and is considered safe 3
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Dosing by age instead of weight: Parents who dose based on weight are significantly less likely to give incorrect doses (RR 0.71) 4
- Exceeding maximum daily dose: Carefully track all doses given in 24 hours, as 11% of parents inadvertently exceed the maximum recommended number of doses 5
- Consider providing parents with a dosing chart to record each administration time and amount to prevent accidental overdosing 5
Timing of Effect
- Maximum fever reduction occurs 3-4 hours after administration 6
- Ibuprofen has a longer duration of action compared to acetaminophen, supporting the 6-8 hour dosing interval 2, 6