How to Safely Give Ibuprofen

Also called: Advil, Motrin, Nurofen

What Is Ibuprofen?

Ibuprofen (eye-byoo-PRO-fen) is a medicine you can buy without a prescription to relieve fever and pain. It's a safe drug for many problems when used correctly.

But too high a dose can make a child very sick. Getting too much can lead to stomach problems, confusion, and possible kidney problems. So it's important to know how to safely give ibuprofen.

If you have any questions about giving ibuprofen to your child,  ask your doctor or pharmacist. Never give this or any other kind of medicine to a child younger than 2 years old without getting a doctor's OK first.

Ibuprofen is the generic name for this drug. The most common brand names for this medicine are Advil® and Motrin®. Generic or store brands of ibuprofen also are available.

What Types of Ibuprofen Are Available?

Many types of ibuprofen are available in different strengths, such as as oral suspensions (liquid form) and drops, chewable tablets, and pills to swallow. Chewable tablets are best for children 6 years of age and older. Chewables are not recommended for children younger than 2 years old due to the risk of choking.

In some countries, you can buy rectal suppositories without a prescription under the name Nurofen®.

Ibuprofen Dosages By Weight

Doctors recommend using a child's weight instead of age when figuring out how much medicine to give. Before giving your child a dose, check the label to make sure the recommended dosage and concentration match the numbers below.

This table is based on recommendations from doctors and the products' makers. It's not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. If your child is 2 years old or younger, get the OK from your health care provider before giving the medicine. And always call if you have any questions or concerns about giving medicine.

What Else Should I Know About Giving Ibuprofen?

Other things to keep in mind when giving ibuprofen to your child:

• Check the expiration date to make sure it's not expired. If it is, throw the medicine away and buy a new product. The best way to dispose of medicines is through a medicine disposal site. Visit the DEA website to find a disposal site near you. You also can remove the medicine from its original container and place it in something that kids or animals wouldn't be tempted to eat, like coffee grounds or kitty litter. Then, put it in a sealed bag inside a garbage can.
• Make sure your child is not taking other medicines with ibuprofen in them. Ibuprofen is a very common ingredient in cough, cold, and allergy medicines. If your child is taking one, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before giving your child more ibuprofen. Getting too much ibuprofen can damage the stomach or intestines.
• Have your child eat or drink before taking ibuprofen. Taking it on an empty stomach can cause discomfort.
• Check the concentration and recommended dosage. Give your child a dose from the dropper, syringe, or cup that came with the product. This is especially important when giving the infant concentrated drops, which are stronger than the children's suspension concentration. This will help ensure that your child gets the right amount of milliliters, or ml (also called cc, or cubic centimeters), and doesn't get too much. Never use a measuring spoon from the kitchen or a cup or dropper from a different product. Chewables or tablets are not recommended for children younger than 6 years old due to the risk of choking.
• When giving for a fever, consider the child's temperature and age. If you have an infant 3 months or younger with a rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, call your doctor or go to the ER right away. If your child is between 3 months and 3 years old and has a fever of 102.2°F (39°C) or higher, call your doctor to find out if they need to see your child.
• If your child spits up a dose of ibuprofen without swallowing it, let your child calm down and then give the same dose again. If the ibuprofen is swallowed and then vomited up later, don't give your child another dose for at least 6 hours unless the dose was in tablet form and you can see that your child vomited up the whole tablet.
• Give every 6–8 hours as needed, but never give your child more than four doses in 24 hours.
• If your child doesn't like the flavor, you can try a product with a different flavoring.
• If your child is sensitive to dyes, use a dye-free type of ibuprofen.