Ibuprofen Dosing Chart
Dose is every 6-8 hours. For young infants, please call with any fever (defined as a temperature of 100.4 F or higher). Please remember that the goal is comfort, not elimination of fever. Fever is a symptom, not a disease. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen do not eliminate fever, they reduce fever. Fevers under 102 degrees F do not need treatment if your child is comfortable. In general we prefer acetaminophen since ibuprofen has more side effects (can cause vomiting, abdominal pain and effects on the kidney if not eating or drinking enough).
IMPORTANT NOTE FOR IBUPROFEN INFANT AND PEDIATRIC DROPS DOSAGE:
Note: as of February 2003, Motrin changed their dropper to a syringe that is identical to the Advil syringe. The old dropper was like the Pediacare Fever Drops – if you have the old dropper, just follow the instructions for the Pediacare drops, below.
Different dropper sizes: Pediacare Fever Drops come with a 1.25ml (¼ tsp) dropper, whereas Motrin and Advil Infant’s Drops come with a 1.875ml syringe for dosing. The amount you are giving is the same, you are just giving it in a different sized dropper.
- Pediacare: ½ dropper = 0.625ml, and 1 dropper = 1.25ml
- Advil/Motrin Infant drops: 1/3 syringe = 0.625ml, 2/3 syringe = 1.25ml, and 1 syringe = 1.875ml.
Don’t let the dropper/syringe difference confuse you. The milligram amount you are giving is the same, you are just giving it in a different sized syringe.
If you’re in doubt about how much to give, you can use the milligram dosage column on the left to double-check yourself.
| Ibuprofen Dosing Chart | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | Milligram Dosage | Pediacare drops 50mg/1.25ml | Advil/Motrin Drops 50mg/1.25ml | Children’s liquid 100mg/5ml | Chewable Tablets 50mg each | Junior strength Caps or chews 100mg each |
| 12-17 lbs | 50 mg | 1.25 ml | 1.25ml | ½ tsp (2.5 ml) | N/A | N/A |
| 18-23 lbs | 75 mg | 1.875 ml | 1.875ml | ¾ tsp (4 ml) | N/A | N/A |
| 24-35 lbs | 100 mg | 2.5 ml | 2.5 ml | 1 tsp (5 ml) | N/A | N/A |
| 36-47 lbs | 150 mg | 3.75 ml | 3.75 ml | 1 ½ tsp (7.5 ml) | 3 tablets | N/A |
| 48-59 lbs | 200 mg | 5 ml | 5 ml | 2 tsp (10 ml) | 4 tablets | 2 tablets |
| 60-71 lbs | 250 mg | Use liquid or tablets | Use liquid or tablets | 2 ½ tsp (12.5ml) | 5 tablets | 2.5 tablets |
| 72-95 lbs | 300 mg | Use liquid or tablets | Use liquid or tablets | 3 tsp (15 ml) | 6 tablets | 3 tablets |
| 96+ lbs | 400 mg | Use liquid or tablets | Use liquid or tablets | 4 tsp (20 ml) | 8 tablets | 4 tablets |
