Safety & Prevention
Ibuprofen (also known as Motrin® and Advil®) is a medicine used to reduce fever and pain. It is an
"over-the-counter" medicine, meaning that you can get it without a doctor’s prescription.
This table* can help you figure out the right amount to give. (Find a print-friendly version
here.) Use your child’s weight to decide on the right amount to give. If you do not know your child’s weight, use your child’s age. Be sure to check with your child’s doctor to make sure you are giving the right amount.
Age of child: Do not use ibuprofen in children who are less than 6 months old unless your child's doctor tells you to. This is because it has not been found to be safe in children less than 6 months old. The use of the medicine in children less than 6 months is also not approved by the FDA. It is also best not to give medicines with more than one ingredient in it to children less than 6 years of age.
Dosage: Determine by finding child's weight in the top row of the dosage table.
Measuring the dose for liquid medicines (should be in "mL" or metric units):It is easier to give the right amount of liquid medicine when using a syringe than when using a kitchen teaspoon or tablespoon. Use the syringe or dosing cup that comes with the medicine. If a tool does not come with the medicine, ask your pharmacist for one.
- Ibuprofen drops: Ibuprofen infant drops come with a measuring syringe.
Adult dosage: 400 mg
How often to give the medicine (frequency): You can give ibuprofen every 6-8 hours if needed.
More information
- Fever and Your Baby
- How to Take a Child's Temperature
- How to Use Liquid Medicines for Children
- Using Over-the-Counter Medicines with Your
Child
- Ibuprofen: Info for Consumers (National Library of Medicine)
The information contained on this Web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.
Medicines are not always needed for minor illnesses like coughs and colds in children. If your child does need a medicine, it's important they have one that's right for their age and you know how to give it to them safely. Paracetamol and ibuprofen are safe for treating pain and a high temperature in babies and children. Both are available as liquid medicines for young children. It's best to choose a sugar-free
version. Medicines that contain sugar can harm your child's teeth. Make sure you get the right strength for your child's age and check the label for the correct dose. Or you can ask a pharmacist for advice. It's a good idea to keep one or both medicines stored in a safe place at home. You can
give paracetamol to children aged 2 months or older for pain or fever. You can give ibuprofen to children who are aged 3 months or older and who weigh more than 5kg (11lb). If your child has asthma, get advice from a GP or pharmacist before giving them ibuprofen. Do not give aspirin to children under 16 unless it's
prescribed by a doctor. It's been linked with a rare but dangerous illness called Reye's syndrome.Paracetamol and ibuprofen for babies and children
At what age can I give my baby paracetamol or ibuprofen?
If you're breastfeeding, ask your health visitor, midwife or GP for advice before taking aspirin.
Read more about breastfeeding and medicines
Antibiotics for children
Children do not often need antibiotics. Most childhood infections are caused by viruses. Antibiotics only treat illnesses caused by bacteria, not viruses.
If your child is prescribed antibiotics for a bacterial infection, they may seem better after 2 or 3 days. But it's important to always finish the whole course to make sure all the bacteria are killed off.
If you do not finish the whole course, the infection is more likely to come back. It also increases the risk of the bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics.
Antibiotics work best if they are given at regular intervals. Giving them to your child at the same times each day may help you to remember.
Giving medicine to your child
Make sure you know how much and how often to give a medicine. Recording it in your child's Personal Child Health Record (PCHR, or red book) may help you remember.
Always read the label on the bottle, and stick to the recommended dose. If in doubt, check with a pharmacist, health visitor or GP.
Most medicines for young children come with a special measure called an oral syringe.
This helps you measure small doses of medicine more accurately. It also makes it easier to give the medicine to your child.
If you're not sure, your health visitor or pharmacist can explain how to use the syringe.
Never use a kitchen teaspoon to give your baby or child medicine, because they come in different sizes.
Video: how to give medicine to a child using an oral syringe
This video describes how to give medicine to a child using an oral syringe.
Media last reviewed: 17 July 2022
Media review due: 17
July 2025
Children and side effects from medicine
The leaflet that comes with a medicine will list any possible side effects.
If you think your child is reacting to a medicine – for example, with a rash or diarrhoea – speak to a GP, health visitor or pharmacist. In the evenings or at weekends you can call NHS 111.
Keep a note of the medicine's name in your child's red book for future reference.
Can you get over-the-counter children's medicines for free?
Some pharmacies run what's known as a minor ailment scheme for specific ailments, such as coughs and colds and diarrhoea and vomiting.
When pharmacies provide medicines as part of a minor ailment scheme, you get the medicines on the NHS. You will not pay a prescription charge for children under 16.
Not all pharmacies offer a minor ailment scheme, and the ailments covered by the scheme vary from area to area.
Children's medicine safety tips
- Always check the expiry date – if you have any medicines at home that are out of date or your child no longer needs them, take them to a pharmacist to dispose of safely.
- Never give your child medicines that have been bought or prescribed for someone else.
- Always keep medicines out of your child's reach and out of sight.
- Ask a pharmacist about storing the medicine – some need to be kept in the fridge or out of direct sunlight.