Ibuprofen (Motrin/Advil) Dosage
| Child's Weight (pounds) | 12-17 | 18-23 | 24-35 | 36-47 | 48-59 | 60-71 | 72-95 | 96+ | lbs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infant drops 50 mg/ 1.25 milliliters (mL) | 1.25 | 1.875 | 2.5 | 3.75 | 5 | - | - | - | mL |
| Liquid 100 mg/ 5 milliliters (mL) | 2.5 | 4 | 5 | 7.5 | 10 | 12.5 | 15 | 20 | tsp |
| Liquid 100 mg/ 1 teaspoon (tsp) | 1/2 | 3/4 | 1 | 1 1/2 | 2 | 2 1/2 | 3 | 4 | tsp |
| Chewable 50 mg tablets | - | - | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 8 | tabs |
| Jr. Strength 100 mg tablets | - | - | - | - | 2 | 2 1/2 | 3 | 4 | tabs |
| Adult 200 mg tablets | - | - | - | - | 1 | 1 | 1 1/2 | 2 | tabs |
When to Use: treatment of significant fever and pain
Caution: Ibuprofen (Advil / Motrin) is also included in many medicines (prescription and over-the-counter). Read the labels carefully to make sure your child is not getting ibuprofen from 2 or more products, which could lead to overdosing. If you have questions, call your child's doctor.
Always check the concentration on the label before using this dose table.
Important:
- Age Limits: Don't use under 6 months of age unless told by child's doctor.
- Reason: not approved by the FDA, safety not established. Ibuprofen is potentially dangerous for babies until they are at least 6 months old. If under 6 years, don't give products with more than one ingredient in them (FDA recommendation 2008).
Instructions:
- Dose: Find the child's weight in the top row of the dose table. Look below the correct weight for the dose based on the product you have.
- Measure the Dose: Always use syringes and droppers for liquid medication (teaspoons vary too much, and could lead to incorrect dosing). If possible, use the syringe or dropper that comes with the medicine. If not, you can get a med syringe at a drug store. If you use a teaspoon, it should be a measuring spoon. Reason: regular spoons are not reliable. Keep in mind 1 level teaspoon equals 5 mL and that ½ teaspoon equals 2.5 mL.
- How Often: Repeat every 6-8 hours as needed. Don't give more than 4 times a day.
- Brand Names: Motrin, Advil, generic ibuprofen
- Use in Countries Outside the U.S.: Dose tables are based on U.S. products. Concentrations may vary in countries outside the U.S.
