Ibuprofen dosing for children Information | Mount Sinai – New York

Ibuprofen can be taken as liquid or chewable tablets. To give the correct dose, you need to know your child’s weight.

You also need to know how much ibuprofen is in a tablet, teaspoon (tsp), 1.25 milliliters (mL), or 5 mL of the product you are using. You can read the label to find out.

• For chewable tablets, the label will tell you how many milligrams (mg) are found in each tablet, for example 50 mg per tablet.
• For liquids, the label will tell you how many mg are found in 1 tsp, in 1.25 mL, or in 5mL. For example, the label may read 100 mg/1 tsp, 50 mg/1.25 mL, or 100 mg/5 mL.

For liquids, you need some type of dosing syringe. It may come with the medicine, or you can ask your pharmacist. Make sure to clean it after every usage.

If your child weighs 12 to 17 pounds (lbs) or 5.4 to 7.7 kilograms (kg):

• For infant drops that say 50mg/1.25 mL on the label, give a 1.25 mL dose.
• For liquid that says 100 mg/1 teaspoon (tsp) on the label, give a ½ tsp dose.
• For liquid that says 100 mg/5 mL on the label, give a 2.5 mL dose.

If your child weighs 18 to 23 lbs or 8 to 10 kg:

• For infant drops that say 50mg/1.25 mL on the label, give a 1.875 mL dose.
• For liquid that says 100 mg/1 tsp on the label, give a ¾ tsp dose.
• For liquid that says 100 mg/5 mL on the label, give a 4 mL dose.

If your child weighs 24 to 35 lbs or 10.5 to 15.5 kg:

• For infant drops that say 50mg/1.25 mL on the label, give a 2.5 mL dose.
• For liquid that says 100 mg/1 tsp on the label, give a 1 tsp dose.
• For liquid that says 100 mg/5 mL on the label, give a 5 mL dose.
• For chewable tablets that say 50 mg tablets on the label, give 2 tablets.

If your child weighs 36 to 47 lbs or 16 to 21 kg:

• For infant drops that say 50mg/1.25 mL on the label, give a 3.75 mL dose.
• For liquid that says 100 mg/1 tsp on the label, give a 1½ tsp dose.
• For liquid that says 100 mg/5 mL on the label, give a 7.5 mL dose.
• For chewable tablets that say 50 mg tablets on the label, give 3 tablets.

If your child weighs 48 to 59 lbs or 21.5 to 26.5 kg:

• For infant drops that say 50mg/1.25 mL on the label, give a 5 mL dose.
• For liquid that says 100 mg/1 tsp on the label, give a 2 tsp dose.
• For liquid that says 100 mg/5 mL on the label, give a 10 mL dose.
• For chewable tablets that say 50 mg tablets on the label, give 4 tablets.
• For junior-strength tablets that say 100 mg tablets on the label, give 2 tablets.

If your child weighs 60 to 71 lbs or 27 to 32 kg:

• For liquid that says 100 mg/1 tsp on the label, give a 2½ tsp dose.
• For liquid that says 100 mg/5 mL on the label, give a 12.5 mL dose.
• For chewable tablets that say 50 mg tablets on the label, give 5 tablets.
• For junior-strength tablets that say 100 mg tablets on the label, give 2½ tablets.

If your child weighs 72 to 95 lbs or 32.5 to 43 kg:

• For liquid that says 100 mg/1 tsp on the label, give a 3 tsp dose.
• For liquid that says 100 mg/5 mL on the label, give a 15 mL dose.
• For chewable tablets that say 50 mg tablets on the label, give 6 tablets.
• For junior-strength tablets that say 100 mg tablets on the label, give 3 tablets.

If your child weighs 96 lbs or 43.5 kg or more:

• For liquid that says 100 mg/1 tsp on the label, give a 4 tsp dose.
• For liquid that says 100 mg/5 mL on the label, give a 20 mL dose.
• For chewable tablets that say 50 mg tablets on the label, give 8 tablets.
• For junior-strength tablets that say 100 mg tablets on the label, give 4 tablets.

Try giving your child the medicine with food to avoid stomach upset. If you are not sure how much to give your child, call your health care provider.

Do not give ibuprofen to children under 6 months of age, unless directed by your provider. You should also check with your provider before giving ibuprofen to children under age 2 years or less than 12 pounds or 5.5 kilograms.