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.
After the dose — what next?
If your child is under 3 months, seems very unwell, or a fever has lasted more than 5 days, speak to our pharmacist first — call 0113 244 1551 or walk in, no appointment needed. Ear pain, sore throat and some skin infections in children can be assessed free under NHS Pharmacy First.
Need children's pain relief at home? See Calpol Infant (paracetamol, from 2 months) or use the children's paracetamol dose calculator — paracetamol and ibuprofen can be alternated when one alone is not enough; ask our pharmacist how.