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Dosage Chart


Dosage Chart


The tables below provide recommended dosage charts for acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Motrin/Advil). Here are some important general guidelines for using these products:

  • We recommend acetaminophen/Tylenol as a first line treatment for pain and/or fever. If your child's response does not seem adequate, try ibuprofen as an alternative.
  • You are treating your child, not a number on the thermometer. Your goal in treating a fever is to make your child comfortable, not to make the number lower.
  • Whenever possible, use your child’s most current weight when choosing an appropriate dose of medication.
  • Do not give both acetaminophen and ibuprofen to a child with fever. It is OK to “tag team” a dose of the second medicine on a one-time basis if you are having trouble making your child comfortable, but this should not be a recurrent procedure. Please discuss this with your physician.
  • Temperature should be measured rectally in children under 6 months; ear (otic) thermometers should be reserved for children over the age of 6 months. An oral thermometer is not appropriate until your child can hold it under his tongue for several minutes without biting (usually around age 5).
  • Never give acetaminophen or ibuprofen to an infant under 2 months of age. In addition, do not give ibuprofen to an infant under the age of 6 months without specific direction from a physician.
  • Acetaminophen rectal suppositories can be purchased at your pharmacy without a prescription. They are helpful to have on hand in case your child has fever or pain and is vomiting and can’t keep down acetaminophen by mouth. Use K-Y Jelly or Vaseline to lubricate the suppository and insert in the child’s rectum every 4 hours as necessary.


Acetaminophen (Tylenol)


Acetaminophen is available in the following forms:

  • New Formula: Infants’ Tylenol or children’s liquid 160mg/5mL
  • Children’s Chewable: 80mg/tab
  • Junior Strength: 160mg/tab
  • Adult regular strength: 325mg/tab
  • Rectal suppository: Various doses

Safety Tips:

  • Don’t give your child a larger amount of acetaminophen (Tylenol) than shown below too much of this medicine can cause an overdoese.
  • Do not mix OTC cough and cold medications with acetaminophen. Only One Rule - DO NOT MIX.
  • NEVER USE A KITCHEN SPOON WHEN MEASURING MEDICATIONS! Always use the measuring device that was enclosed in the package with the medicine.
     

Acetaminophen (Tylenol or other brand)

Give every 4 – 6 hours, as needed, no more than 5 times in 24 hours.
Always base the dosage on the weight not the child’s age!  

Child’s Weight

Child’s Age

Old Formulation Infants’ Drops

(DISCONTINUED)

80mg in each 0.8 mL

Infants’ New Formulation or Children’s Liquid

160mg in 5 mL

Children’s Chewables

80mg in each tab

Junior Strength

160 mg in each tab

6–11 lbs.

(2.7 - 5.0kg)

2-3 Months

DO NOT USE

Advised dose

1.25 mL

   

12-17 lbs.

(5.5 - 7.7 kg)

4-11

Months

DO NOT USE

½ teaspoon

(2.5 mL)

   

18-23 lbs.

(8.2–10.5 kg)

12-23

Months

DO NOT USE

¾ teaspoon

(3.75 mL)

   

24-35 lbs.

(10.9–15.9 kg)

2-3

Years

DO NOT USE

1 teaspoon

(5 mL)

2 Tablets

 

36-47 lbs.

(16.4-21.4 kg)

4-5

Years

 

1 ½ teaspoon

(7.5 mL)

3 Tablets

 

48-59 lbs.

(21.8-26.8 kg)

6-8

Years

 

2 teaspoons

4 Tablets

2 Tablets

60-71 lbs.

(27.3-32.3 kg)

9-10

Years

 

2 ½ teaspoons

5 Tablets

2 ½ Tablets

72-95 lbs.

(32.7-43.2 kg)

11

Years

 

3 teaspoons

(15 mL)

6 Tablets

3 Tablets


If you have any questions regarding dosing please give us a call at 256-543-2894.

Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, or another brand)


Ibuprofen is available in the following forms:

  • Infant’s Drops: 50mg/1.25 mL
  • Children’s Liquid: 100mg/5mL
  • Children’s Chewables or Junior Tablets: 100mg/tab

Safety Tips:

  • DO NOT GIVE THIS MEDICINE TO YOUR CHILD IF THEY ARE UNDER 6 MONTHS!!!
  • Don’t give your child a larger amount of Ibuprofen than is shown in the table below. Too much of this medicine can cause an overdose.
  • Do not mix OTC cough and cold medications with Ibuprofen!!
  • NEVER USE A KITCHEN SPOON WHEN MEASURING MEDICATIONS! Always use the measuring device that was enclosed in the package with the medicine. 

 

Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, or another brand)

Give every 6-8 hours, as needed, no more than 4 times in 24 hours

Child’s Weight

Child’s Age

Infants’ Drops

50mg/1.25 mL

Children’s Liquid

100mg/5 mL

Old Formulation Children’s Chewables

50 mg/tab

Children’s Chewables or Junior Strength

100 mg/tab

Less than 11 lbs.

(5 kg)

0-5

Months

DO NOT USE

DO NOT USE

DO NOT USE

DO NOT USE

12-17 lbs.

(5.5-7.7 kg)

6-11

Months

1.25 mL

 

DO NOT USE

 

18-23 lbs.

(8.2-10.5 kg)

12-23

Months

1.875 mL

Advised dose:

¾ of a teaspoon

DO NOT USE

 

24-35 lbs.

(10.9-15.9 kg)

2-3

Years

 

1 teaspoon

(5 mL)

DO NOT USE

1 Tablet

36-47 lbs.

(16.4-21.4 kg)

4-5

Years

 

1 ½ teaspoon

(7.5 mL)

DO NOT USE

1 ½ Tablets

48-59 lbs.

(21.8-26.8 kg)

6-8

Years

 

2 teaspoons

(10 mL)

DO NOT USE

2 Tablets

60-71 lbs.

(27.3-32.3 kg)

9-10

Years

 

2 ½ teaspoons

(12.5 mL)

DO NOT USE

2 ½ Tablets

72-95 lbs.

(32.7-43.2 kg)

11

Years

 

3 teaspoons

(15 mL)

DO NOT USE

3 Tablets


If you have any questions regarding dosing please give us a call at 256-543-2894.

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