Ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®)

Ibuprofen belongs to a group of medicines called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It’s used to treat mild to moderate pain, swelling (inflammation), and fever. Brand names are Motrin®, Advil®, Pediaprofen®, and Nuprin®. Many grocery stores and pharmacies have their own brands.

Ibuprofen stops the body from making chemicals that cause pain, inflammation, and fever. After giving a dose, symptoms should improve in 30 to 60 minutes.

You can get ibuprofen as a liquid, chewable tablets, and regular tablets or capsules. It comes in different strengths. Smaller strengths do not need a prescription. Larger strengths do need a prescription.

Ibuprofen Dosing Chart:  English,  Arabic,  Nepali,  Somali,  Spanish

Warnings

  • Do NOT give your child ibuprofen if they are allergic to ibuprofen, aspirin, or other NSAIDs.
  • Tell your child’s doctor or health care provider if your child has a history of kidney disease. In some cases, these patients should take ibuprofen at the lowest possible dose and for the shortest amount of time.
  • Tell your child’s doctor or health care provider if your child has a history of stomach ulcers or stomach bleeding. These patients should take the lowest possible dose of ibuprofen and for the shortest amount of time. Always give ibuprofen with food or milk to protect the stomach.
  • Do not give to children younger than 6 months old unless told by their doctor.
  • Ibuprofen may cause a skin rash, which can be dangerous. Contact your child’s doctor or health care provider at the first sign of redness on the skin.

How to Give

  • Liquid – Shake the medicine before using.
    • Make sure you have the correct size syringe or cup based on the product you give your child. Syringes and medicine cups can be sold separately in the store or may be available behind the pharmacy counter. 
  • Chewable tablets – Chew, dissolve in liquid, or swallow tablets whole.
DO DO NOT
  • Give the exact dose of medicine as told by your doctor or health care provider.
  • Always give with food or milk to protect the stomach.
  • Stay with your child until they have swallowed the full dose of medicine.
  • Use a pediatric measuring device, like a dosing syringe or medicine cup, to get the exact dose.
  • Read the label carefully and make sure you're giving your child the right amount.
  • DO NOT give to a baby under 6 months of age.
  • DO NOT crush, chew, or break non-chewable tablets. This will cause side effects and stomach upset.
  • Do not give for more than 3 days straight without asking the doctor or health care provider.
  • Do not measure liquid medicines with spoons you eat with.
  • Do not give medicine in the dark. Turn on a light to see the amount you're giving.

 

If a Dose Is Vomited

  • Tablet, capsule, and chewable – If your child vomits or spits out the whole pill, let them calm down for 15 to 30 minutes. Then, give the same amount one more time.
  • Liquid – If your child swallowed this medicine and then vomited, do not give another dose. Some medicine may still be in their stomach. Wait until it’s time for the next dose.

Possible Side Effects

If any of these happen, stop giving the medicine and call your child's doctor or health care provider: heartburn, change in kidney function, nausea, vomiting, skin rash, or bleeding easily.

When to Call 911

Call 911 for emergency help if your child has trouble breathing or swelling of the tongue, hands, feet, or ankles.

When to Call the Doctor

Call your child’s doctor or health care provider if they have any of the following:

  • Bloody or black tarry poop (stool)
  • Fever of 103° Fahrenheit (F) [39.4° Celsius (C)] or higher
  • Severe skin rash
  • Spitting up blood or coffee-ground materials
  • Severe stomach pain
  • Unexplained bruising or bleeding
  • Any side effects that continue or are very bothersome
  • If taking for fever, fever has not gone away within 3 days

Drug and Food Interactions

Do not take ibuprofen with the following:

  • Alcohol – can cause nausea, vomiting and stomach ulcers. This is very dangerous.
  • Over-the-counter medicines with ibuprofen – Many OTC medicines for cough and cold, allergies, pain, and problems sleeping contain ibuprofen in them. If you don't know this and also give your child ibuprofen separately, they might take too much. Read the label or check with your child’s doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist before giving these products to your child.
  • Aspirin – Do not give your child ibuprofen if they are taking aspirin. Both medicines increase your child’s risk for bleeding and stomach ulcers.
  • Vitamins and supplements – Ask your child’s doctor or health care provider if it’s okay to give these with ibuprofen.

Medicine Storage

  • Store all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
  • Keep medicine in the original bottle or packaging from the pharmacy.
  • Keep the bottle tightly closed and store it in a dark, dry place. Light and moisture make the medicine not work as well.
  • Do not use this medicine after the expiration date printed on the bottle.
  • Do not keep this medicine in the refrigerator. Store it at room temperature.
  • Do not keep it in the bathroom or above the kitchen sink.

Medicine Safety

  • This medicine is prescribed for your child only. Do not give it to anyone else.
  • If your child takes too much medicine or if someone else takes your child’s medicine, first call the Central Ohio Poison Center at 1 (800) 222-1222 (TTY 614-228-2272). They will tell you what to do.
  • Tell your child's doctor or health care provider and pharmacist if they have a strange or allergic reaction to any medicine.
  • Do not use this medicine if the package has been opened.
  • Keep all medicine in the childproof bottle. Keep it out of the reach of children and pets.
  • Tell your child’s teacher, school nurse, coach, babysitter, and others that they’re taking this medicine and what side effects to watch for.
  • Ask your pharmacist for 2 labeled bottles if daycare or school will be giving this medicine.
  • Bring all your child’s medicines with you in the original bottles whenever they see a doctor, go to an emergency room, or are admitted to the hospital.
  • Always keep a current list of your child’s medicines with you. It should include prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, herbal and natural products, and supplements.
  • Learn the name, spelling, and dose of the medicine. Also, teach your child if they are old enough. You will need to know this information when you call the doctor or pharmacist.
  • Mix any leftover medicine with an unwanted material like coffee grounds or kitty litter. Place it into a container or a bag that will not leak. Then, throw it in the trash where children and pets cannot reach it. You may also bring old medicines to any Nationwide Children’s Hospital pharmacy location during normal pharmacy business hours.

 

 

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