Yesterday we shared the info on how to use adult tablets of Tylenol to make children's doses during this medication shortage, and today we will share how to do the same using ibuprofen (motrin/advil) tablets.
Motrin (ibuprofen) options during the shortage:
(Side note, it is always better to use child specific products if they are available to you. However, if you cannot find any during this shortage, this is an option to help you get through) :)
Using Motrin (aka ibuprofen, or Advil) regular strength tablets 200 mg, we can split them to make doses that are appropriate for smaller children.
Keep in mind that crushing an ibuprofen product can be more upsetting to the stomach than taking a normal child’s preparation, so try to limit use and be sure the child has eaten something before taking ibuprofen this way.
After using a pill splitter and splitting the tablets in half, or into quarters (split in half twice), you can crush the tablets using the back of a spoon. Then mix the powder with applesauce and spoon feed it to the child, or mix it with juice and suck it up into a syringe to give to child.
These products (or similar generic) are safe to crush: Please be sure the product you choose is a tablet or capsule shaped tablet (caplet), not a liquid gel, gelcap or capsule.
Weight: | Dose: | Product to use: | Instructions: |
6-11 lbs | Do not use | Do not use | Do not use |
12-17 lbs | 50 mg per dose | Ibuprofen 200mg tablet | Split tablet into quarters (split in half twice). Give child one quarter of tablet every 6 hours as needed |
18-23 lbs | 80 mg per dose | Ibuprofen 200mg tablet | Split tablet into quarters (split in half twice). Give child one quarter of tablet every 6 hours as needed. (This is a little under the recommended dose, but the closest we can do with tablets.) |
24-35 lbs | 100 mg per dose | Ibuprofen 200mg tablet | Split tablet in half. Give child one half of tablet every 6 hours as needed |
36-47 lbs | 150 mg per dose | Ibuprofen 200mg tablet | Split tablet into quarters. Give child 3 quarters of tablet every 6 hours as needed. |
48-59 lbs | 200 mg per dose | Ibuprofen 200mg tablet | Child can take full tablet every 6 hours as needed |
60-71 lbs | 250 mg per dose | Ibuprofen 200mg tablet | Split tablet in quarters (split in half, then in half again). Give child one full tablet and one quarter tablet every 6 hours as needed. (It is also OK to give one 200 mg tablet if that is easier) |
72-95 lbs | 300 mg per dose | Ibuprofen 200mg tablet | Split a tablet in half. Child can take one full tablet plus one half tablet every 6 hours as needed |
Remember, use child specific products if available (liquid suspension, chewable tablets). Use this info only if you are unable to obtain any Children’s products.
Only crush regular tablets- do not crush any “extended release” tablets, or capsules or liquid gel capsules.
If you have any questions about this information, do no hesitate to contact our office!
-Dr. Patel, Dr. MacPherson and Patrick