This chart can help you give your child the correct dosage if he or she has a fever. Keep these things in mind:
- Never give a baby younger than 3 months these drugs without talking to your doctor first.
- Your child’s age is a guide, but their weight is the most important factor in how much medicine to give.
- Read the label first. There are different forms and concentrations. Be sure not to confuse tablespoons and teaspoons.
- Always use the measuring device that came with the medicine, whether it’s a dropper or a measuring cup.
Acetaminophen
The following table gives acetaminophen dosage guidelines by weight. It can be used for several different available commercial products, including Tylenol, Tempra, Panadol and generics.
For infants 3-6 months old, please call our office to discuss your infant’s symptoms before administering any medications.
The following table gives ibuprofen dosage guidelines by weight. It can be used for Acetaminophen AKA Tylenol.
| Weight | Dose | Infant Drops (160mg/ .8ml) |
Children’s Syrup (160 mg/5cc) |
Chewables 80mg |
Chewables 160 mg |
| 12-17 lbs | 80 mg | 2.5 ml | 1/2 tsp | 1 tab | |
| 18-23 lbs | 120 mg | 3.75 ml | 3/4 tsp | ||
| 24-35 lbs | 160 mg | 5 ml | 1 tsp | 2 tabs | 1 tab |
| 36-47 lbs | 240 mg | 1 1/2 tsp | 3 tabs | 1 1/2 tabs | |
| 48-59 lbs | 320 mg | 2 tsp | 4 tabs | 2 tabs | |
| 60-71 lbs | 400 mg | 2 1/2 tsp | 5 tabs | 2 1/2 tabs | |
| 72-95 lbs | 480 mg | 3 tsp | 6 tabs | 3 tabs | |
| 95+ lbs | 640 mg | 4 tsp | 8 tabs | 4 tabs |
Ibuprofen
The following table gives ibuprofen dosage guidelines by weight. It can be used for both Children’s Motrin and Children’s Advil products.
| Weight | Dose | Infant Drops (50mg/1.25ml) |
Suspension (100mg/5ml) |
Chewables 50 mg |
Chewables 100 mg |
Caplets 100 mg |
| 12-17 lbs | 50 mg | 1.25 ml | 1/2 tsp | |||
| 18-23 lbs | 75 mg | 1.875 ml | 3/4 tsp | |||
| 24-35 lbs | 100 mg | 2.5 ml | 1 tsp | 2 tabs | 1 tabs | |
| 36-47 lbs | 150 mg | 3.75 ml | 1 1/2 tsp | 3 tabs | 1 1/2 tabs | |
| 48-59 lbs | 200 mg | 2 tsp | 4 tabs | 2 tabs | 2 caps | |
| 60-71 lbs | 250 mg | 2 1/2 tsp | 5 tabs | 2 1/2 tabs | 2 1/2 caps | |
| 72-95 lbs | 300 mg | 3 tsp | 6 tabs | 3 tabs | 3 caps |
Cold Medicines
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends not giving OTC cough and cold medicines to infants or small children because they have not yet been proven effective and can be harmful. Call our office to discuss other ways to manage your child’s symptoms, such as saline nasal sprays or drops, and bulb-suctioning of the nose for babies.
Benadryl
Various situations may arise where it would be appropriate to give your child a dose of benadryl syrup or its generic equivalent – diphenhydramine. These situations might include mild allergic reactions or itchy rashes. Please call our office at any time to consult us on questions about Benadryl.