The following table gives ibuprofen dosing guidelines by weight. It can be used for the different products available, including Motrin, Advil, generics or store brands. Ibuprofen can be administered every six hours.
Ibuprofen is a very effective medicine for fever and pain. In addition, it is also a very effective anti-inflammatory medication. Ibuprofen has NO effect on other symptoms related to a cold.
Do not give ibuprofen to infants under six months of age.
If your child has a stiff neck, is unusually lethargic or unresponsive, or might be dehydrated please call our office immediately.
The most common side effects of ibuprofen are abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Giving the medicine with a full stomach is the best way to help prevent these side effects. If your child already has these symptoms, it might be better to use acetaminophen instead.
Note that ibuprofen is available in a variety of dosage forms and concentrations. Please be sure to use the dose appropriate for the type of medication you are using. In addition, use only the dropper provided with the oral drops to measure the dosage of ibuprofen. This dropper is a very different size than the dropper provided with acetaminophen drops and other droppers available. Improper use could result in over- or under-dosing.
If your child is sick and you would like them seen in the office, you can book a same day sick (weekdays) or an urgent care visit (weekends/holidays) using MyChart.