Children's ibuprofen dose
Right dose, right concentration. Enter your child's age and (ideally) weight — we'll work out the ml of Nurofen for Children. Built from BNFc paediatric reference dosing.
Do NOT give ibuprofen if
- Under 3 months or under 5 kg — paracetamol is safer.
- Chickenpox — ibuprofen raises the risk of serious skin infection (necrotising fasciitis).
- Asthma worsened by NSAIDs — about 10% of children with asthma have ibuprofen-triggered worsening. If you've not given it before, watch for breathing changes.
- Dehydrated — vomiting, diarrhoea, severe gastroenteritis — ibuprofen can damage kidneys when fluid is low.
- Known kidney problem or has been told to avoid NSAIDs.
- Stomach ulcer or bleeding disorder.
When in doubt, give paracetamol instead, or call us / NHS 111.
Ibuprofen vs paracetamol — which one
- Paracetamol is first line for pain and fever. Works on most things, fewest side effects. Paracetamol dose calculator.
- Ibuprofen is anti-inflammatory — useful for teething, post-vaccine soreness, inflammatory pain, and when paracetamol alone isn't enough.
- Alternating is sometimes recommended for persistent fever — every 4 hours stagger so each is dosed every 8 hours. Don't give both at the same moment unless we've advised it.
- Always give ibuprofen with or after food — reduces stomach irritation.
Source
BNFc — ibuprofen, 5-10 mg/kg per dose (calculator uses 7.5 mg/kg, the mid-range), max 30 mg/kg/day, every 6-8 hours, max 4 doses in 24 hours. Nurofen for Children suspension is 100 mg/5 ml (20 mg/ml). Stronger 200 mg/5 ml strength also exists for older children — we round to the standard 100 mg/5 ml.