My Little Brother Ingested an Extra Dose of Ibuprofen – Should I Be Concerned?
I’ve set up this temporary account because I’ve never needed to post on Reddit before, and I'm feeling a bit anxious about my situation. Recently, my mom asked me to care for my younger brothers since they both have hand, foot, and mouth disease and are unable to attend daycare. Up until today, I’ve been managing well with their medication. For context, they are twins, and my mom insists on dressing them in identical outfits, which adds to the confusion. Earlier today, I administered 5ml of ibuprofen to the first twin at around 9:25 AM. About half an hour later, his brother stirred from sleep, and after preparing breakfast for them, I proceeded to give him his dose. I repeatedly confirmed his identity to ensure I was giving the right twin his medication. However, it turned out he was not the one I thought he was, and I only realized this after he had taken the ibuprofen. Now I’m feeling quite anxious. Currently, he seems to be doing fine. I’ve encouraged him to drink plenty of water, and both boys are eating well. Is he likely to be alright? I’m hesitant to inform my mom since she tends to react with anger instead of addressing the situation calmly. I’d prefer not to contact poison control either. Are there any precautions I can take at home to make sure he stays healthy?
Answers (1)
7/22/2025, 2:10:47 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to feel anxious after an unexpected situation like this, but in most cases, if a child ingests an extra dose of ibuprofen, they may be fine, especially since he appears to be doing well. Here’s what you need to know and what you can do to ensure his continued well-being.
Explanation
Ibuprofen is generally safe for children when given in the correct dose, and even a slightly higher dose isn't always dangerous. For children, the usual dose is about 10 mg per kilogram of body weight, up to a maximum of 40 mg per kilogram per day. Since you gave an extra 5 ml, which typically contains about 100 mg of ibuprofen (assuming a standard concentration), it's key to know his weight to assess if this dose is concerning. However, if he is active, alert, and not showing any adverse symptoms, that is a positive sign.
Next Steps
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Observe for Symptoms: Continue to monitor him over the next few hours for any unusual behavior or symptoms such as:
- Stomach pain or discomfort
- Nausea or vomiting
- Drowsiness or lethargy
- Breathing difficulties
- Unusual rashes or skin reactions
-
Encourage Hydration: Keep encouraging him to drink plenty of fluids to help flush the medication out of his system. Water or diluted juice is good.
-
Avoid Additional Medications: Ensure he does not receive any more ibuprofen or any other medications until you are sure he is okay.
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Document Details: Keep a note of the time the extra dose was given and any symptoms that arise. This will be helpful if you need to provide information later on.
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Inform Yourself on Dosage: In the future, consider keeping a medication chart for both twins. Using different colored stickers or a simple checklist can help prevent mix-ups.
When to Seek Help
If he starts showing any concerning symptoms as mentioned above, or if you feel uncertain at any point, contacting a healthcare professional or poison control is the best course of action. They can provide you with specific guidance based on weight and symptoms if any arise.
You’re doing a great job managing a challenging situation. Keeping a close watch will allow you to address any issues promptly. If you feel comfortable, it may still be worth discussing this with your mom, as she can assist and support you moving forward.
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