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About

Ibuprofen is a common fever reducer and pain reliever for children, but it comes in highly varying concentrations. A critical error parents make is confusing "Infant Drops" (highly concentrated) with "Children's Suspension" (less concentrated), leading to potential overdose. This calculator standardizes the process by requiring the user to select the specific product type found on their bottle.

It covers major formulations found in Western markets, including Infant Drops (50mg/1.25ml), Standard Suspension (100mg/5ml), and Chewables. The logic applies the clinical standard of 10 mg/kg for high fever or pain, ensuring the volume matches the child's exact weight rather than a broad age range.

ibuprofen advil motrin fever reducer pediatric calculator

Formulas

Ibuprofen dosing is strictly weight-dependent. The calculator determines the total milligrams required and maps it to the volume of the selected concentration.

Standard Dose Formula:

Vml = Weight × 10 mg/kgConcentration mg/ml

Maximum daily dose should not exceed 40 mg/kg.

Reference Data

Product TypeConcentrationTarget Dose (approx)Max Frequency
Infant Drops (Concentrated)50 mg / 1.25 ml (40 mg/ml)10 mg/kgq6-8h
Children's Suspension100 mg / 5 ml (20 mg/ml)10 mg/kgq6-8h
Junior Strength Chewables100 mg / tablet10 mg/kgq6-8h
Adult Tablets (Teens >40kg)200 mg / tablet200-400 mgq6h

Frequently Asked Questions

Generally, No. Ibuprofen is typically not recommended for infants under 6 months unless directed by a physician. Acetaminophen is the preferred option for that age group.
Pharmaceutical companies label low weights as "See Doctor" to ensure a professional evaluates very small infants before medication is given. This tool provides the math, but medical advice is required for infants under 5kg or 6 months.
Drops are usually twice as concentrated (40mg/ml) as the suspension (20mg/ml). Giving 5ml of drops instead of 5ml of suspension results in a double dose. Always check the concentration on the label.