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).
New to ibuprofen? See what it is, how it works, and when not to use it.
Before giving your child ibuprofen
- Give it for comfort, not just because of the number. Most children only need it once they're uncomfortable or the fever is 38.5°C or above.
- 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.
Choose your child’s age and enter their weight to see the dose for this bottle.
Reference only. Dose at 15 mg/kg (paracetamol) or 10 mg/kg (ibuprofen), rounded to the nearest 0.1 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. A 200 mg/5 ml strength also exists, so check the strength on your label before using the calculator or this table. For drops or any other strength, check the dosing table on the label or ask your pharmacist.
Reference dose by weight
Doses at 10 mg/kg, rounded to the nearest 0.1 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 | 1.3 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 | 3.8 ml |
| 18 kg | 9.0 ml | 4.5 ml |
| 20 kg | 10.0 ml | 5.0 ml |
| 25 kg | 12.5 ml | 6.3 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
Ibuprofen, diclofenac and naproxen are the same class of medicine (NSAIDs) and share one clock. Paracetamol can still be used on its own schedule.
- Your child is under 3 months, or weighs under 5 kg.
- Dengue is possible. In Singapore, a fever without a clear cause can be dengue in the first few days.
- Your child is vomiting repeatedly, or not drinking well.
- Your child has chickenpox.
- Your child has already had diclofenac (for example a suppository from the clinic) or naproxen. These are the same class of medicine as ibuprofen, so never give them within each other’s dosing window.
- Your child has asthma that has got worse with ibuprofen or aspirin before.
- Your child has kidney problems, a stomach ulcer, or a bleeding disorder.
If you are not sure, ask your pharmacist or GP before giving it.
Do not give ibuprofen after surgery unless your doctor has approved it, or if your child is allergic to ibuprofen, aspirin, or other NSAIDs.
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.
- !If you cannot reach your GP or polyclinic now, go to the nearest 24-hour A&E.
→ 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. Never give both at the same moment. Give the other medicine only if your child is still uncomfortable or 38.5°C or above about an hour after the first. Each medicine keeps its own clock and daily maximum (ibuprofen every 6–8 hours, paracetamol every 4–6 hours).
→ How to alternate paracetamol and ibuprofen safely
When to get help now
Call 995 now if your child has a fever and any of these:
- !A seizure lasting more than 5 minutes (give rectal diazepam if a doctor has prescribed it, and still call)
- !Struggling to breathe (skin pulling in under the ribs, nostrils flaring, or grunting), pauses in breathing, or lips turning blue or grey
- !Cannot be woken, or floppy and not responding to you
- !A rash of small red or purple spots that does not fade when you press a glass on it
- !Swelling of the lips, tongue, or face, with any difficulty breathing
- !Cold, clammy, or mottled skin, with drowsiness or restlessness
Go to the nearest 24-hour A&E or children's emergency now if:
- !A baby under 3 months with a temperature of 38.0°C or above
- !A first febrile seizure, even if it has stopped
- !After a seizure: confused, still drowsy after 30 minutes, or more than one seizure in a day
- !A stiff neck, or crying in pain when bending the head forward
- !Unusually drowsy or hard to wake, but can be woken
- !Dengue warning signs as the fever comes down: tummy pain, repeated vomiting, bleeding gums or nose, or very tired
- !No urine or wet nappy for 12 hours or more
- !No tears when crying, sunken eyes, or a very dry mouth
- !Cannot keep any fluids down
- !Green vomit
- !A temperature above 40°C that is not coming down, and your child seems unwell
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?+
Never give both at the same moment. Give the other medicine only if your child is still uncomfortable or 38.5°C or above about an hour after the first. Each medicine keeps its own clock and daily maximum: paracetamol every 4–6 hours, ibuprofen every 6–8 hours. See our guide on alternating paracetamol and ibuprofen. Use paracetamol, not ibuprofen, if dengue is possible, your child is vomiting or not drinking well, is under 3 months, or has had diclofenac.
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.