Ibuprofen dose for children: weight-based guide

The short answer: 5–10 mg/kg every 6–8 hours — for children 6 months and older

Ibuprofen is approved for children from 6 months of age onwards. The standard dose is 5–10 mg per kilogram every 6–8 hours, with a maximum of 40 mg/kg/day (adult max 1,200 mg/day OTC, 2,400 mg/day prescribed). Ibuprofen is not recommended for infants under 6 months due to kidney immaturity.

Is ibuprofen approved for children?

• Under 6 months: not recommended — kidney function is still developing and NSAIDs risk acute kidney injury
• 6 months–11 years: approved and routine for fever and pain
• Adolescents (12+): adult-style dosing
• Infants with special indications: sometimes used off-label under neonatologist direction (e.g., PDA closure)

Dosing by weight

For the common 100 mg/5 mL (20 mg/mL) pediatric suspension:

| Weight (kg) | Dose (mg) | mL of 100 mg/5 mL | Frequency | |---|---|---|---| | 5–7 kg (6 months+) | 25–70 mg | 1.25–3.5 mL | every 6–8 h | | 8–10 kg | 40–100 mg | 2–5 mL | every 6–8 h | | 11–15 kg | 55–150 mg | 2.75–7.5 mL | every 6–8 h | | 16–20 kg | 80–200 mg | 4–10 mL | every 6–8 h | | 21–30 kg | 100–300 mg | 5–15 mL | every 6–8 h | | 31–40 kg | 150–400 mg | 7.5–20 mL | every 6–8 h | | >40 kg | adult dose 200–400 mg | — | every 6–8 h |

Maximum 40 mg/kg/day, and never exceed adult OTC max of 1,200 mg/day.

Formulations for children

• Infant drops (40 mg/mL) — for 6-month+ infants (always confirm age 6+ months)
• Pediatric suspension (100 mg/5 mL) — standard for 1–11 years
• Chewables (100 mg) — for age 2+ who can chew reliably