Ibuprofen Dosing for a 7-Year-Old Weighing 73 Pounds
For a 7-year-old child weighing 73 pounds (33 kg), administer ibuprofen at 10 mg/kg per dose, which equals 330 mg per dose, given every 6-8 hours as needed, not exceeding 4 doses (1,320 mg) in 24 hours.
Weight-Based Dosing Calculation
- The effective dose range for ibuprofen in children is 7.5-10 mg/kg per dose, with clinical trials demonstrating optimal efficacy at the higher end of this range 1
- For this 33 kg child, using 10 mg/kg yields 330 mg per dose 1
- This dose can be administered every 6-8 hours, with a maximum of 3-4 doses in 24 hours 2
- The maximum total daily dose should not exceed 40 mg/kg/day (1,320 mg for this child) 2
Practical Dosing Recommendations
- Round to available formulations: 330 mg can be achieved using standard pediatric ibuprofen formulations (e.g., three 100 mg chewable tablets or 16.5 mL of 100 mg/5 mL suspension)
- The minimum effective single dose is 200 mg, but this would be subtherapeutic for a child of this weight 3
- Maximum antipyretic and analgesic effect occurs 3-4 hours after administration 1
- Duration of action is approximately 6 hours, which is longer than paracetamol (4-6 hours) 3
Safety Considerations
- Ibuprofen has a favorable safety profile in children and is better tolerated than in adults 1
- Short-term use (up to 48 hours) is considered safe when attention is given to hydration status 2
- The drug is safer in overdose than paracetamol or aspirin 1
- Common adverse effects include gastrointestinal discomfort, though these are less frequent in children than adults 1
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Do not underdose: Using adult OTC dosing (200 mg) would provide only 6 mg/kg, which is below the therapeutic range for this child's weight 3, 1
- Track all doses carefully: Parents should record each dose time to avoid exceeding the maximum of 4 doses in 24 hours 4
- Ensure adequate hydration: Special attention must be given to fluid intake, particularly if the child has fever or reduced oral intake 2
- Avoid rectal administration: The rectal route has erratic absorption, especially in younger children, and should be avoided 2