When your child spikes a fever or is experiencing growing pains, don’t shy away from an over-the-counter medicine. Both acetaminophen and ibuprofen are effective and generally safe so long as you follow proper dosing instructions. For your convenience, we’ve outlined our guidelines for dosing, though we encourage you to contact our office if you have any questions.
Acetaminophen (Brand Name: Tylenol)
Administer every 4 to 6 hours as needed, but do not exceed 5 doses in 24 hours.
| Weigh in Pounds (lbs.) | Elixir (1 Tsp) = 160 mg/5ml | Chewable Tablet (1) = 80mg | Jr. Strength (1 caplet) = 160mg | Regular Strength (1 tablet) = 325mg |
| 6-11 lbs. | ¼ tsp (1.25ml) | — | — | — |
| 12-17 lbs. | ½ tsp (2.5ml) | — | — | — |
| 18-23 lbs. | ¾ tsp (3.75ml) | — | — | — |
| 24-35 lbs. | 1 tsp (5ml) | 2 | — | — |
| 36-47 lbs. | 1 ½ tsp (7.5ml) | 3 | — | — |
| 48-59 lbs. | 2 tsp (10ml) | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| 60-71 lbs. | 2 ½ tsp (12.5ml) | 5 | 2 ½ | 1 |
| 72-95 lbs. | 3 tsp (15ml) | 6 | 3 | 1 ½ |
| 96 lb. + | — | — | 4 | 2 |
Ibuprofen (Brand Name: Motrin, Advil)
Administer every 6 to 8 hours as needed, but do not exceed 4 doses in 24 hours. Ibuprofen is only safe for children ages 6 months or older.
| Weight in Pounds (lbs.) | Dose | Liquid (1 tsp) = 100mg/5ml | Chewable Tablet (1) = 100mg | Tablets (1) = 200mg |
| 11-21 lbs. | 50mg. | ½ tsp. (2.5ml) | ½ | — |
| 22-32 lbs. | 100mg. | 1 tsp. (5ml) | 1 | — |
| 33-43 lbs. | 150mg. | 1 ½ tsp. (7.5ml) | 1 ½ | — |
| 44-54 lbs. | 200mg. | 2 tsp. (10ml) | 2 | 1 |
| 55-65 lbs. | 250mg. | 2 ½ tsp (12.5ml) | 2 ½ | 1 |
| 66-87 lbs. | 300mg. | 3 tsp. (15ml) | 3 | 1 ½ |
| 88 lbs. + | 400mg. | 4 tsp. (20ml) | 4 | 2 |
**Note that acetaminophen and ibuprofen can be given in alternation every 3 hours among children with persistently high fever. For example, you could administer Children’s Tylenol at 7am, followed by Children’s Motrin at 10am and Children’s Tylenol again at 1pm.
