How Much Ibuprofen Should I Give My Child?
Ibuprofen dose for children is 10 mg/kg per dose, every 6–8 hours, up to 3 doses in 24 hours. Enter your child's weight to see the dose for Nurofen or Brufen syrup (100 mg/5 ml).
Before giving your child ibuprofen
- Check if your child still needs it. Fever alone is not always harmful.
- Wait at least 6 hours since the last ibuprofen dose.
- Do not give more than 3 doses in 24 hours.
- Give with food or milk to reduce stomach upset.
- Check the expiry date on the bottle.
- Use the syringe or measuring cup that came with the product, not a kitchen teaspoon.
Enter your child's weight to see the dose for this bottle.
Reference only. Dose at 15 mg/kg (paracetamol) or 10 mg/kg (ibuprofen), rounded down to nearest 0.5 ml. Check the bottle concentration and confirm with your pharmacist before measuring. Calculations run on your device.
Nurofen and Brufen Children's Suspension are both 100 mg per 5 ml, same concentration, different brands. If you have an older bottle of a different strength, check the label before using this table.
Reference dose by weight
Doses at 10 mg/kg, rounded down to nearest 0.5 ml. For children under 5 kg, see a doctor before giving any fever medicine.
| Weight | 100 mg/5 ml | 200 mg/5 ml |
|---|---|---|
| 5 kg | 2.5 ml | 1.0 ml |
| 6 kg | 3.0 ml | 1.5 ml |
| 8 kg | 4.0 ml | 2.0 ml |
| 10 kg | 5.0 ml | 2.5 ml |
| 12 kg | 6.0 ml | 3.0 ml |
| 15 kg | 7.5 ml | 3.5 ml |
| 18 kg | 9.0 ml | 4.5 ml |
| 20 kg | 10.0 ml | 5.0 ml |
| 25 kg | 12.5 ml | 6.0 ml |
100 mg/5 ml: Nurofen for Children, Brufen Children's Suspension. 200 mg/5 ml: higher-strength formulation. Check the label before measuring. Use the syringe that came with the product. Maximum single dose: 400 mg.
When NOT to give ibuprofen
- Babies under 3 months or under 5 kg: see a doctor first
- During chickenpox (increases risk of serious skin infection)
- Children already taking diclofenac: both are NSAIDs and must not be combined
- Children with a bleeding disorder or severe vomiting: risk of stomach and intestinal bleeding
- Children with kidney problems, stomach ulcers, or asthma triggered by NSAIDs
- Children who are dehydrated or not drinking well
- After surgery, unless your doctor has approved it
- Known allergy to ibuprofen, aspirin, or other NSAIDs
In these situations, paracetamol is usually the alternative. If you are unsure, ask your pharmacist before giving any medicine.
If you give too much
Ibuprofen overdose can affect the kidneys and stomach lining. Symptoms usually appear quickly, but kidney effects can take time to show. Do not wait for symptoms before seeking advice.
If your child has had too much ibuprofen
- !Your child is vomiting repeatedly, confused, or difficult to rouse
- !Your child has severe stomach pain or is breathing unusually fast
- !You are unsure how much was taken
- !Your child had 2 or more extra doses in 24 hours
- !The daily limit of 3 doses has been exceeded
- !A combination product (cold and flu medicine) was given alongside ibuprofen. Some also contain ibuprofen or other NSAIDs.
→ What overdose symptoms look like and what to do while waiting for help
If you rotate ibuprofen and paracetamol during a high fever, track each one separately. The intervals are different (ibuprofen every 6–8 hours, paracetamol every 4–6 hours), and the two should not be given at the same time.
→ How to alternate paracetamol and ibuprofen safely
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate ibuprofen dose for my child by weight?+
The standard dose is 10 mg/kg per dose (the top of the safe 5–10 mg/kg range and the dose most likely to bring down a fever). A 15 kg child needs 150 mg per dose. Nurofen and Brufen Children's Suspension are 100 mg per 5 ml (20 mg/ml), so a 15 kg child gets 7.5 ml.
How often can I give ibuprofen to a child?+
Give ibuprofen every 6–8 hours, up to 3 doses in 24 hours. Wait at least 6 hours between doses. See a doctor if the fever does not improve after 2–3 doses.
Should I give ibuprofen with food?+
Yes. Giving ibuprofen with food or milk reduces the chance of stomach upset. Unlike paracetamol, ibuprofen is an NSAID and can irritate the stomach lining on an empty stomach.
Can I give ibuprofen and paracetamol together?+
Rotate them rather than giving both at once. Paracetamol can be given every 4–6 hours, ibuprofen every 6–8 hours. If the fever returns before the next ibuprofen dose is due, paracetamol can fill the gap. See our guide on alternating paracetamol and ibuprofen.
What is the maximum ibuprofen dose for a child?+
The maximum single dose is 400 mg. Do not exceed 3 doses in any 24-hour period. Children over 40 kg are capped at the 400 mg single-dose limit regardless of weight.
Can I give ibuprofen to a baby under 3 months?+
No. Ibuprofen is not recommended for babies under 3 months or under 5 kg. Take any infant under 3 months with a fever to see a doctor without giving medicine first.