Can Motrin (Ibuprofen) Be Given to a 1-Year-Old?
Yes, ibuprofen can be safely administered to a 1-year-old child, as the minimum approved age is 6 months, and the standard dosing is 10 mg/kg per dose every 6–8 hours, with a maximum of 40 mg/kg per day. 1
Age and Safety Considerations
- Ibuprofen is approved for use in children ≥6 months of age, making it appropriate for a 1-year-old. 1, 2
- No adequate safety or efficacy data exist for infants younger than 6 months, so use below this age is not supported by evidence. 1
- Short-term use in infants older than 3 months with body weight above 5–6 kg is considered safe when special attention is given to hydration. 3
Weight-Based Dosing Protocol
For a 1-year-old child, use the following dosing algorithm:
- Standard dose: 10 mg/kg per dose 1
- Frequency: Every 6–8 hours as needed 1, 3
- Maximum daily dose: 40 mg/kg/day (equivalent to 4 doses of 10 mg/kg) 1, 3
- Alternative dosing range: 5–10 mg/kg per dose can be used, with 3–4 administrations daily 3
Practical Example
For a 10 kg (22 lb) 1-year-old:
- Give 100 mg per dose (10 mg/kg)
- Repeat every 6–8 hours
- Do not exceed 400 mg in 24 hours
Critical Safety Warnings and Contraindications
Ibuprofen should NOT be given in the following circumstances:
- Dehydration or risk of hypovolemia (e.g., vomiting, diarrhea, poor oral intake) – this significantly increases the risk of acute renal failure 2, 4
- Active chickenpox (varicella) – associated with increased risk of invasive group A streptococcal infection 2, 4
- Wheezing or persistent asthma 2
- Known hypersensitivity to ibuprofen or other NSAIDs 2
Route of Administration
- Oral administration is preferred and most reliable 3
- Rectal administration is NOT recommended in young infants due to erratic and unreliable absorption 3
- Intravenous ibuprofen at 10 mg/kg every 6 hours has been studied and shown to be safe in infants 1–6 months of age, with pharmacokinetics similar to older children 5
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Weight-based dosing errors are extremely common:
- 51% of caregivers give inaccurate doses, with infants <1 year at highest risk (62% error rate for acetaminophen) 6
- Always calculate dose based on current weight, not age – caregivers who dose by weight are significantly less likely to make errors (RR 0.71) 6
- Avoid using household teaspoons; use calibrated oral syringes or dosing cups
Inappropriate use as antipyretic:
- Ibuprofen should NOT be routinely used solely for fever management except in rare cases 2
- Ibuprofen remains the drug of first choice for inflammatory pain in children, not simple fever 2