Medication Dosing Chart
A temperature over 100.4 degrees F is considered a fever.
If your child is less than 12 weeks of age please call the office for advice regarding evaluation and treatment.
Fever may be a side effect of vaccine administration and can be treated with fever reducing medication.
Acetaminophen, commonly known as Tylenol, can be used to reduce fever and relieve pain in infants and children.
Ibuprofen, also known as Motrin or Advil, is also used to treat these symptoms in infants older than 6 months of age and children.
Always base the dose on your child’s current weight rather than age. Read and follow the label directions and use the dosing device that comes with the medication.
How to give the right amount of Acetaminophen (also known as Tylenol) is different depending on which medicine you plan to give.
Birth to 3 Years
Infants’ Acetaminophen Liquid (160 mg per 5 mL)
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6 to 11 lbs (0 to 3 months): 1.25 mL
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12 to 17 lbs (4 to 11 months): 2.5 mL
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18 to 23 lbs (12 to 23 months): 3.75 mL
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24 to 35 lbs (2 to 3 years): 5 mL
Children’s liquid (160 mg per 5 mL)
24 to 35 lbs: 5 mL
Children’s chewables (160 mg tablets)
24 to 35 lbs: 1 tablet
Adult strength tablets and dissolvable packets are not recommended for children under 36 pounds.
Acetaminophen dose can be repeated every 4-6 hours. Do not give more than 5 doses in a 24 hour period.
Do not use with other medications containing acetaminophen.
How to give the right amount of Acetaminophen (also known as Tylenol) is different depending on which medicine you plan to give.
Age 4 years and older
Children’s Acetaminophen Liquid (160 mg per 5 mL)
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36 to 47 lbs (4 to 5 years): 7.5 mL
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48 to 59 lbs (6 to 8 years): 10 mL
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60 to 71 lbs (9 to 10 years): 12.5 mL
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72 to 95 lbs (11 years): 15 mL
Children’s Acetaminophen Chewables (160 mg tablets)
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36 to 47 lbs: 1.5 tablets
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48 to 59 lbs: 2 tablets
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60 to 71 lbs: 2.5 tablets
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72 to 95 lbs: 3 tablets
Children’s Acetaminophen Dissolvable Packets (160 mg per packet)
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48 to 59 lbs: 2 packets
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60 to 71 lbs: 2 packets
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72 to 95 lbs: 3 packets
Adult Acetaminophen Tablets (325 mg regular strength)
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48 to 95 lbs: 1 tablet
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96 lbs or more (12 years and older): 2 tablets
Adult Acetaminophen Tablets (500 mg extra strength)
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96 lbs or more (12 years and older): 2 tablets
Acetaminophen dose can be repeated every 4-6 hours. Do not give more than 5 doses in a 24 hour period.
Do not use with other medications containing acetaminophen.
How to give the right amount of Ibuprofen (also known as Motrin/Advil) is different depending on which type of Ibuprofen you plan to give.
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Age of child: Do not use ibuprofen in children who are less than 6 months old unless your child's doctor tells you to. This is because it has not been found to be safe in children less than 6 months old. The use of the medicine in children less than 6 months is also not approved by the FDA. It is also best not to give medicines with more than one ingredient in it to children less than 6 years of age.
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Measuring the dose for liquid medicines (should be in "mL" or metric units): It is easier to give the right amount of liquid medicine when using a syringe than when using a kitchen teaspoon or tablespoon. Use the syringe or dosing cup that comes with the medicine. If a tool does not come with the medicine, ask your pharmacist for one.
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Ibuprofen drops: Ibuprofen infant drops come with a measuring syringe
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Adult dose: 400 mg
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How often to give the medicine (frequency): You can give ibuprofen every 6 to 8 hours if needed.
Ibuprofen dose can be repeated every 6 hours. Do not give more than 4 doses in a 24-hour period.
Do not use with other medications containing ibuprofen.