Below are recommendations for use of the most common over the counter (OTC) medications used by our patients.
- Please be sure to read the lables carefully, and administer liquid medications using only the dosing device provided with the medicine, or with a marked syringe designed for dispensing medicines.
- Avoid multi-ingredient products in children under 6 years of age.
- It's always best to take your child's temperature before treating fever
(see: Fever and Your Baby, and How to Take Your Child's Temperature)
Acetaminophen dosing (Tylenol®, Feverall®, Tempra®)
- Please call us before giving to infants under 3 months of age
- Indications: Fever, pain
- Frequency: Every 4-6 hours
| Weight (in pounds) | 6-11 | 12-17 | 18-23 | 24-35 | 36-47 | 48-59 | 60-71 | 72-95 | 96 + | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Syrup 160 mg/5 mL | 1.25 | 2.5 | 3.75 | 5 | 7.5 | 10 | 12.5 | 15 | 20 | mL |
| Chewable 80 mg tablets | -- | -- | 1.5 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 8 | tabs |
| Chewable 160 mg tablets | -- | -- | -- | 1 | 1.5 | 2 | 2.5 | 3 | 4 | tabs |
| Adult 325 mg tablets | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 1 | 1 | 1.5 | 2 | tabs |
| Adult 500 mg tablets | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 1 | 1 | tabs |
Acetaminophen also comes in 80, 120, 325 and 650 mg suppositories. The rectal dose is the same as the dosage given by mouth.
Ibuprofen dosing (Motrin®, Advil®)
- Not recommended for infants under 6 months of age
- Indications: Fever, pain, swelling
- Frequency: every 6-8 hours
| Weight (in pounds) | 12-17 | 18-23 | 24-35 | 36-47 | 48-59 | 60-71 | 72-95 | 96 + | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infant drops 50 mg/1.25 mL | 1.25 | 1.875 | 2.5 | 3.75 | 5 | -- | -- | -- | mL |
| Children's liquid 100 mg/5 mL | 2.5 | 4 | 5 | 7.5 | 10 | 12.5 | 15 | 20 | mL |
| Chewable 50 mg tablets | -- | -- | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 8 | tabs |
| Junior strength 100 mg tablets | -- | -- | -- | -- | 2 | 2.5 | 3 | 4 | tabs |
| Adult 200 mg tablets | -- | -- | -- | -- | 1 | 1 | 1.5 | 2 | tabs |