Dosage Table
CHILD’S WEIGHT (POUNDS) |
||||||||
PRODUCT |
12-17 lbs |
18-23 lbs |
24-35 lbs |
36-47 lbs |
48-59 lbs |
60-71 lbs |
72-95 lbs |
96+ lbs |
Infant’s Liquid |
1.25 mL |
1.875 mL |
2.5 mL |
3.75 mL |
|
|
|
|
Children’s Liquid |
|
|
5 mL |
7.5 mL |
10 mL |
12.5 mL |
15 mL |
20 mL |
Children’s Chewable |
|
|
1 tab |
1 ½ tabs |
2 tabs |
2 ½ tabs |
3 tabs |
4 tabs |
Children’s |
|
|
|
|
2 tabs |
2 tabs |
3 tabs |
4 tabs |
Adult |
|
|
|
|
1 tab |
1 tab |
1 ½ tabs |
2 tabs |
Chart Notes:
- Brand names: Advil, Motrin or store brand ibuprofen.
- Dose: Find your child’s weight in the top row of the dose chart. Look below the correct weight for the dose based on the product you have. Adult dose is 400 mg.
- Measure the Dose: Use the syringe or dropper that comes with the medicine. If not, you can buy a medicine syringe at a drugstore. If you use a teaspoon, it must be a measuring spoon. Reason: Regular spoons are not reliable. Keep in mind: 1 level teaspoon equals 5 mL.
- How Often: Repeat every 6 to 8 hours as needed. Don’t give more than 3 times a day.
- Age Limit: Don’t use younger than 6 months unless told to by your child’s doctor. Reason: For any fever in the first 12 weeks of life, your baby needs to be seen now. Also, the FDA has not approved ibuprofen for infants younger than 6 months.
- Caution: Do not use acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen together. Reason: no benefit over using one medicine alone and a risk of giving too much. Exception: Your child’s doctor told you to give both.
Call Your Doctor If
- Your child looks or acts very sick
- Any serious symptoms occur like trouble breathing
- Any fever occurs if under 12 weeks old
- Fever without other symptoms lasts over 24 hours (if age less than 2 years)
- Fever lasts over 3 days (72 hours)
- Fever goes above 104° F (40° C)
- You think your child is in pain
- You think your child needs to be seen
- Your child becomes worse
Author: Barton Schmitt MD, FAAP
Copyright 2000-2020 Schmitt Pediatric Guidelines LLC
Disclaimer: This health information is for educational purposes only. You the reader assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it. The information contained in this handout should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. Listing of any resources does not imply an endorsement.
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