Ibuprofen Dosing for a 60-lb Child
For a 60-lb (approximately 27 kg) child, administer 13.5 mL of Motrin 100 mg/5 mL suspension per dose, which delivers 270 mg of ibuprofen based on the standard 10 mg/kg dosing recommendation. 1
Weight-Based Calculation
- A 60-lb child weighs approximately 27.3 kg (60 ÷ 2.2 = 27.3 kg). 1
- The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 10 mg/kg per dose for pediatric ibuprofen dosing. 1, 2
- For this child: 27.3 kg × 10 mg/kg = 273 mg per dose. 1
- Using the 100 mg/5 mL concentration: (273 mg ÷ 100 mg) × 5 mL = 13.65 mL, which rounds to 13.5 mL for practical administration. 1
Dosing Schedule and Frequency
- Administer ibuprofen every 6-8 hours as needed. 1, 3
- The maximum frequency is 3-4 doses per 24 hours. 2, 3
- Do not exceed 40 mg/kg/day (approximately 1,092 mg/day for this child). 2
Critical Safety Points
- Record all dose times carefully to avoid accidentally exceeding the maximum recommended dose, especially if alternating with acetaminophen. 4
- The maximum reduction in temperature occurs 3-4 hours after administration. 5
- Ibuprofen is generally not recommended for infants under 6 months of age. 1
- Ensure adequate hydration when administering ibuprofen. 6
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Avoid "hidden sources" of NSAIDs in combination over-the-counter medications that could lead to inadvertent overdosing. 2
- Do not combine ibuprofen with other NSAID medications without dose adjustment. 2
- Oral administration is preferred over rectal routes due to more reliable and consistent absorption. 1