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Ibuprofen Dosage Calculator

Created by Dominika Śmiałek, MD, PhD candidate and Bogna Szyk
Reviewed by Małgorzata Koperska, MD, Jack Bowater and Aleksandra Zając, MD
Based on research by
American Academy of PediatricsIbuprofen - drug monographs;See 1 more source
American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Ibuprofen Dosing Table for Fever and Pain;; 2023
Last updated: Jan 18, 2024


This ibuprofen dosage calculator, a variation of our dosage calculator, is a tool which calculates the maximum permissible ibuprofen dosage for kids. It will tell you how much solution of a known concentration or a tablet you need and what dose is not safe to exceed. Please keep in mind that recommended single or daily dosage may be different depending on your country, health condition and the decision should be consulted with a health care provider.

Ibuprofen dosage for kids

The regularly prescribed dosage of ibuprofen for kids is 10 mg per 1 kg of body weight, and can be administered every 6 to 8 hours. If your child is in severe pain, you can use this ibuprofen calculator to calculate the one-time dose for your child. The meaning of each variable is described in detail below.

  • Child's age - either in months or years. Ibuprofen use in the US should not be given to babies under six months of age because of safety concerns.
  • Child's weight is self-explanatory - the body mass of the child.
  • Medication type is either Infant drops, Liquid, Chewable tablets, or Adult tablets.

Maximum ibuprofen doses

A recommended single dose of ibuprofen is 5-10 mg per 1 kg of body weight. The maximum safe daily dosage is 40 mg per 1 kg of body weight. It should be evenly spread throughout the day, as the maximum single dose of ibuprofen - even for adults - is 400mg.

  • Maximum single dose is the maximum permissible dose of ibuprofen that your child can take at a time. Remember that it shouldn't be taken all at once but should be divided into equal amounts to be taken in intervals of between 6 and 8 hours. The single doses are based on the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations and more is explained in the paragraph below.

If you think your child needs more than the maximal dose, it's possible to use ibuprofen and paracetamol alternately. Please consult your pediatrician before administering more drugs to your child.

Ibuprofen dosage chart

You can use the following children ibuprofen dose chart we created based on American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Quality Improvement and Patient Safety to assess the appropriate dosage for your baby.

Weight

Age

Infants’ Ibuprofen Drops® 50 mg/1.25 mL

Children’s Liquid Ibuprofen® 100 mg/5mL

Children’s Ibuprofen chewable tablet® 50mg

Adult's Ibuprofen Tablets® 200 mg

2.7-4.9 kg (6-11 lbs)

0-5 months

Consult a doctor

-

-

-

6-7.7 kg (12-17 lbs)

6-11 months

1.25 mL

2.5 mL

-

-

8-10.4 kg (18-23 lbs)

12-23 months

1.875 mL

4 mL

-

-

10.5-15.8 kg (24-35 lbs)

2-3 years

2.5 ml

5 ml

2 tablets

-

15.9-21.3 kg (36-47 lbs)

4-5 years

3.75 mL

7.5 ml

3 tablets

-

22-26 kg (48-59 lbs)

6-8 years

5 ml

10 mL

4 tablets

1 tablet

26.8-32.2 kg (60-71 lbs)

9-10 years

-

12.5 ml

5 tablets

1 tablet

32.3-43 kg (71-95 lbs)

11 years

-

15 ml

6 tablets

1.5 tablet

43 kg (> 96 lbs)

12 years or more

-

20 ml

8 tablets

2 tablet

Using the ibuprofen calculator: an example

Let's assume that your child is 5 years old and weighs 20 kg. Let's assume you want to give this drug to the child in the form of a solution, of a strength 100 mg/5 ml

  • Age: 5 yrs
  • Child's weight: 20 kg
  • Medication type: Liquid 100 mg/5 ml
  • Maximum single dose: the number of mililiters of solution which can be administered, 12.5 ml.

Make sure to check out the paracetamol dosage calculator and infant Tylenol dosage calculator as well.

FAQ

How many mg of Ibuprofen should I give to 30 kg kid?

According to the most common guidelines, the dosage of Ibuprom for a 30 kg kid should not exceed 300 mg. To calculate this result, follow these easy steps:

  1. Measure the weight of the kid in kilograms.
  2. Multiply the kid's weight by the dosage of Ibuprofen per kilogram (suggested 10 mg/kg). In our case: dosage = 30 kg × 10 mg/kg = 300 mg.
  3. If you are using a standard 100 mg tablet, you should administer 3 tablets, possibly in 6-8 hours intervals.

What is the maximum daily dosage of Ibuprofen for a kid?

The maximum daily dosage of Ibuprofen for a kid varies depending on the weight (40 mg/kg per day or 10 mg/kg per single dose). A maximum for kids weighing 30 kg and more is 1200 mg of ibuprofen per day. This is also the maximum value for adults. Never exceed it, and before administering, always have the dose calculated separately by a health care provider.

Ibuprofen should always be administered in three moments, separated by 6-8 hours, and never exceeding the maximum single dose of 400 mg.

For normal weights, calculate the maximum daily dose by multiplying the kid's weight in kilograms by 40 mg per kilogram.

What is the maximum daily dose and single Ibuprofen dose for a 25 kg kid?

The maximum dose is 1000 mg. The maximum single dose depends on how you will administer the drug, but for most OTC drugs, you can find it by dividing the daily dose by 5: maximum single dose = maximum daily dose/5 = 1000 mg/5 = 200 mg.

How often should I give Ibuprofen to my kid?

The recommended posology of Ibuprofen is 3-4 administrations daily, in intervals of 6-8 hours. Each time you give Iburpofen to your kid, be sure not to exceed the maximum single dose regardless of the weight, 400 mg. A quick way to find the amount of Ibuprofen for each administration is to divide the daily dosage by 4 or 5.

Solutions are beneficial in helping you administer the correct drug dosage to your kid.

We try our best to make our Omni Calculators as precise and reliable as possible. However, neither we nor our content providers warrant the accuracy of the information on this site. All information on this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to and should not serve as a substitute for medical consultation, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your health care provider before making any health care decisions. Omni Calculator and its content providers expressly disclaim responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. Your use of the site is only your own risk.

Dominika Śmiałek, MD, PhD candidate and Bogna Szyk
Child's age
yrs
Child's weight
lb
Administer if needed every 6 to 8 hours. Do not give more than 4 doses in 24 hours. Do not use more than one product containing ibuprofen at the same time.
This tool is for information purposes only and ibuprofen dosages should always be calculated separately as well as double-checked by health care provider. Always check the dosing information and contraindications on the leaflet. Consult your health provider before administering.
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