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Should children’s ibuprofen be given with food?

Yes, giving children's ibuprofen with food (or milk) is recommended. It helps prevent stomach upset, which is the most common side effect, and does not stop the medicine from working.

Ibuprofen should not be given on an empty stomach, since it can irritate the stomach lining.

Strength of evidence

Good

This is consistent advice across Canadian and international paediatric health guidance sources, though it is based on general pharmacology and clinical experience rather than a specific randomized trial.

What the evidence says

Yes, it's a good idea to give your child's ibuprofen with food. Ibuprofen belongs to a group of medicines called NSAIDs, which can sometimes upset the stomach. Giving it with a meal or snack, or with milk, helps lower the chance of tummy troubles like stomach ache or nausea.

Canadian sources like HealthLink BC and SickKids' AboutKidsHealth both say to give ibuprofen with food to prevent an upset stomach. British health guidance goes a step further, saying not to give it on an empty stomach at all, since it can cause indigestion.

If your child still gets a sore tummy even when the medicine is given with food, that doesn't necessarily mean something serious is wrong, but it's worth mentioning to your doctor. Occasionally stomach upset can be a sign of a different problem, or the ibuprofen dose may need reviewing.

Giving ibuprofen with food will not stop it from working properly. Your child should still start to feel relief from pain or fever within about 20 to 30 minutes, whether the stomach is empty or not.

Remember other basic safety points too: don't give ibuprofen to babies under 6 months without a doctor's advice, always use the measuring tool that comes with the medicine, and make sure your child is drinking enough fluids while taking it.

Sources

✓Reviewed by CH, MD, FRCPC

Reviewed by a specialist physician certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, who has read this answer against the sources listed above and confirmed it reflects them. That is not medical advice about your child. How we review

Answer checked August 31, 2026

Educational information only. Not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and no doctor-patient relationship is created by using this. Founded Parent has not examined your child and does not know their history, so this may not apply to you. In an emergency, call your local emergency number. What Founded Parent cannot do

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