Can a 13 year old take ibuprofen 800?

Some branded products may have extra instructions, so always read the leaflet that comes with the medicine.

Never take more than the recommended dose of ibuprofen and always use the lowest possible dose for the shortest possible time to relieve your symptoms.

What is the recommended ibuprofen dose and how often can I take it?

Adults and adolescents over 12 years of age

• The usual ibuprofen dose for adults and teenagers aged over 12 years is 200mg to 400mg taken three or four times a day (approximately every six to eight hours, but leaving at least four hours between doses).
• Your doctor may prescribe a higher dose than this - always follow their instructions.
• If you have been prescribed a modified-release or slow-release ibuprofen product, these usually only need to be taken once or twice a day, depending on the product. Always follow the instructions on the label.
• If you forget to take a dose, just take your next dose as usual when it's due - don't take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.

Children aged three months to 12 years

• A dose may be given approximately every six to eight hours. Always leave at least four hours between doses.
• Babies aged three to six months weighing at least 5kg: Give 50mg up to three times in 24 hours.
• Babies aged 6 to 12 months: Give 50mg up to four times in 24 hours.
• Children aged 1 to 3 years: Give 100mg up to three times in 24 hours.
• Children aged 4 to 6 years: Give 150mg up to three times in 24 hours.
• Children aged 7 to 9 years: Give 200mg up to three times in 24 hours.
• Children aged 10 to 12 years: Give 300mg up to three times in 24 hours.
• Your doctor may prescribe your child a higher dose than this, for example if they have juvenile arthritis - always follow your doctor's instructions and ask your pharmacist for advice if you are unsure about anything.

How long can I use ibuprofen for?

You can use ibuprofen as needed to relieve pain such as headaches. However, if you need to take it for longer than a few days (three days for a child), or if the pain or fever doesn't get better despite taking ibuprofen, then you should get advice from your doctor.

For babies under six months of age, you should get medical advice after 24 hours use if their symptoms persist.

If you have more long-term or ongoing pain, for example because you are recovering from an injury or you have arthritis, your doctor may ask you to take ibuprofen every day on a regular basis. This gives a better anti-inflammatory effect and avoids the painkilling effect wearing off, which will provide better pain relief.

If you need to take ibuprofen for long periods of time your doctor may also prescribe you a medicine to help protect your stomach.

Can I drink alcohol with ibuprofen?

It's usually fine to drink alcohol in moderation if you've taken ibuprofen. Just be aware that high doses or long-term use of ibuprofen carry a risk of irritating the stomach lining, and drinking alcohol above the daily recommended limit can increase this risk.

Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) is an over-the-counter (OTC) medication that can help with pain and fever in children. Many children can safely take ibuprofen when it’s used as directed.

Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) is a commonly used medication. It’s available over-the-counter (OTC) and with a prescription. It works really well for pain and fever. In fact, many people consider ibuprofen to be one of the best OTC pain relievers. Possibly even better than Tylenol (acetaminophen).

But what if your child is the one that needs medication? Can you give them ibuprofen? And what’s the recommended children’s ibuprofen dosage? Let’s discuss.

Is ibuprofen safe to give children?

Usually, yes — but it depends. Like Tylenol, ibuprofen can be given to most children. But there are a few exceptions.

If your child is younger than 6 months old, they shouldn’t take ibuprofen without a healthcare provider’s OK. Ibuprofen is only FDA approved for children 6 months of age and older. Ibuprofen may be safe for children younger than this. But there’s not a lot of research in that age group.

If your child is allergic to ibuprofen or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), they should avoid ibuprofen. This includes reactions like hives, trouble breathing, or anaphylaxis (swelling of the throat).

Trusted children’s ibuprofen brands

There are many different brands of ibuprofen. All brand-name and generic products are considered to work the same. This is because they all contain the same active ingredient: ibuprofen.

Keep in mind that there are many OTC products that have other ingredients along with ibuprofen. For example, some cold medications combine ibuprofen with other ingredients. It’s important to check the label to be sure what medications are in a product.

Here are some common ibuprofen brands: 

• Advil

• Equate ibuprofen

• Gencare ibuprofen

• Kirkland ibuprofen

• Major ibuprofen

• Motrin

• Up and Up ibuprofen

• Walgreens ibuprofen

What forms does ibuprofen come in for children?

Children’s ibuprofen comes in a liquid suspension and chewable tablets. It’s important to know that "children’s ibuprofen" and "infants’ ibuprofen" suspensions have different concentrations. Infant’s ibuprofen has more medication in every milliliter (mL).

For example, if you give a child 5 mL of children’s ibuprofen, you’d give them 100 mg. If you give a child 5 mL of infants’ ibuprofen, it would be 200 mg. That’s twice as much medication.

Children’s ibuprofen is intended for children ages 2 to 11 years. Infant’s ibuprofen is intended for children ages 6 months to 23 months. The infant’s formulation is designed so that small children don’t have to swallow as much liquid. This can help make it easier for parents to successfully give a full dose to infants or young toddlers.

The ibuprofen liquid suspensions come in a few different flavors, as well as dye-free options. Dye-free medications can be helpful if your child is allergic or sensitive to food dyes. There are also a few different flavors of chewable tablets, like grape and orange. There are also dye-free tablets available.

What is the correct ibuprofen dose for kids by age?

Recommended ibuprofen dosing is based on a child’s body weight. Some dosing charts also have an age range to help figure out the dose. You can use this if you aren’t sure of your child’s weight. But if you know their weight, it’s better to use a weight-based dose. You should also confirm the dose with your child’s healthcare provider if possible.

For children 6 months to 11 years old, the chart below lists the recommended ibuprofen dosage. Children 12 and older can follow the for ibuprofen.

Child’s body weightChild’s ageInfants’ Liquid Ibuprofen Dosage (50 mg per 1.25 mL)Children’s Liquid Ibuprofen Dosage (100 mg per 5 mL)Children’s Chewable Ibuprofen Dosage (100 mg per tablet)12-17 lbs6-11 months1.25 mL (50 mg)--18-23 lbs12-23 months1.875 mL (75 mg)--24-35 lbs2-3 years-5 mL (100 mg)1 tablet (100 mg)36-47 lbs4-5 years-7.5 mL (150 mg)1.5 tablets (150 mg)48-59 lbs6-8 years-10 mL (200 mg)2 tablets (200 mg)60-71 lbs9-10 years-12.5 mL (250 mg)2.5 tablets (250 mg)72-95 lbs11 years-15 mL (300 mg)3 tablets (300 mg)

How do I give children liquid ibuprofen?

Here are a few helpful tips on how to give children liquid ibuprofen: 

1. Determine the correct dose, and confirm it with your child’s healthcare provider if possible.

2. Locate your dosing device (e.g., medicine cup, oral syringe). Only use the device provided with the medication. If you’ve lost the device, ask your pharmacist for a replacement.

3. Shake the liquid well before measuring the dose. Carefully pour out or draw up the dose.

4. Once you have the dose measured, have the child swallow the dose. This can be easier said than done sometimes. If you’re using a syringe, place the tip of the syringe toward the back of the inner cheek and press the plunger slowly.

5. If the taste of the liquid is a problem, ask your pharmacist if they offer flavoring services. Many pharmacies can flavor liquid medications if needed. Speak with your pharmacist before mixing ibuprofen with milk, formula, or other food items.

How much ibuprofen can I give a child in tablet or capsule form?

The pill dose for children depends on their weight and their age. For children ages 12 and older, they can use adult forms of ibuprofen, which come as tablets and capsules. The is 200 mg to 400 mg (1 to 2 pills) by mouth every 4 to 6 hours. Be careful not to give more than 1,200 mg (6 pills) in a 24-hour period unless a healthcare provider tells you otherwise.

For children ages 2 to 11 years, it’s recommended to use children’s chewable ibuprofen tablets. The dosing for this product is listed in detail in the chart above. The dosing range is generally between 1 and 3 tablets every 6 to 8 hours, as needed.

If I don’t have access to children’s ibuprofen, is it okay to give a child adult ibuprofen?

For children ages 12 and older, yes. Adult-strength ibuprofen is recommended for people ages 12 and older.

For children younger than 12, it depends. It’s best to use children’s or infant’s ibuprofen products to help you get an accurate dose. These products will also likely taste better to children.

Adult OTC ibuprofen comes as 200 mg tablets. As listed in the chart above, some children may be able to take 200 mg for a dose. But for other kids, you may need to split adult tablets to get the right dose. This could be difficult and cause you to give the wrong dose. And some dosage forms, like capsules, shouldn’t be cut in half.

What happens if a child takes too much ibuprofen?

Taking too much ibuprofen can cause severe side effects. Generally, side effects of ibuprofen are mild, such as upset stomach and heartburn. Giving doses with food can help lessen these side effects. Taking too much ibuprofen could be dangerous and lead to serious complications.

Problems that can happen from too much ibuprofen include:

What do I do if I give my child too much ibuprofen?

Taking too much ibuprofen can result in a medical emergency. Call 911 right away if your child is displaying any symptoms of an ibuprofen overdose:

• Trouble breathing or unexplained breathing changes

• A blue color change of the face — such as the lips, mouth, or nose

• Severe dizziness

• Rapid, uncontrollable eye movements

Even if your child doesn’t have symptoms, they could still have health risks if they’ve taken too much ibuprofen. Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 if you think your child has taken too much ibuprofen.

The bottom line

Ibuprofen works well for relieving pain and fever in children. Most kids over 6 months old can safely take ibuprofen. Usually, it’s dosed according to your child’s weight. Make sure you follow dosing instructions on the package and use the included measuring device to get the correct dose.

It’s always a good idea to double-check your child’s dose of ibuprofen with their healthcare provider. They can ensure that it’s safe for your child to take ibuprofen and confirm the dose based on age, weight, and medical history. 

GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.

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