At what age can ibuprofen (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, NSAID) be administered?

From the Guidelines

Ibuprofen can be given to children 6 months of age and older, while adults can take it at any age. For children 6 months to 12 years, the dosage is typically based on weight (about 10 mg per kg of body weight) every 8 hours as needed, as suggested by the most recent guidance from the European Society for Paediatric Anaesthesiology 1. Children under 6 months should not receive ibuprofen unless specifically directed by a healthcare provider. For adults, the standard dosage is 200-400 mg every 4-6 hours as needed, not exceeding 1200 mg in 24 hours unless directed by a doctor.

Important Considerations

• Ibuprofen works by reducing inflammation and pain by blocking certain enzymes in the body.
• It's essential to use the correct formulation for children (liquid suspension) with the measuring device provided, and to never give adult formulations to children.
• Always check with a healthcare provider before giving any medication to infants or young children, especially if they have any medical conditions or are taking other medications.

Dosage and Administration

• The recommended dosage for children is 10 mg/kg every 8 hours, as per the guidance from the European Society for Paediatric Anaesthesiology 1.
• For adults, the standard dosage is 200-400 mg every 4-6 hours as needed.

Special Considerations

• In children and adolescents with migraine, ibuprofen is recommended as first-line medication, at a dose appropriate for body weight 1.
• The evidence base for medication therapy in children and adolescents is confounded by a high placebo response in clinical trials, and the apparent therapeutic gain is low 1.

From the Research

Age Restrictions for Ibuprofen Administration

• The administration of ibuprofen to infants is considered safe for those older than 3 months of age, with a body weight above 5-6 kg, when special attention is given to the hydration of the patient 2.
• The recommended dose for infants is 5-10 mg/kg, administered 3-4 times a day, resulting in a maximum total daily dose of 30-40 mg/kg 2.
• There is no specific age restriction mentioned for children older than 6 months, but it is essential to follow the recommended dosage and administration guidelines.
• For pediatric patients in general, ibuprofen is considered as or more efficacious than acetaminophen for the treatment of pain and fever, and is equally safe 3.

Safety Considerations

• The concomitant use of ibuprofen and acetaminophen in children may be associated with an increased risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) 4.
• It is crucial to monitor patients for potential adverse effects, such as AKI, when administering ibuprofen, especially in combination with other medications.
• The rectal route of ibuprofen administration has been shown to be less reliable due to erratic absorption, especially in young infants 2.

Dosage and Administration

• The dosage of ibuprofen for children should be based on body weight, using a dose of 5-10 mg/kg, administered 3-4 times a day 2.
• A high dose of oral ibuprofen has been associated with a significantly higher odds of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) closure in preterm infants compared to standard doses of intravenous ibuprofen or intravenous indomethacin 5.