Acetaminophen (Tylenol, Tempra, Panadol, Liquiprin and generics) and Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, generics) are two over-the-counter medications that are helpful in reducing pain and discomfort in children and young adults.
They are not meant to take away a fever but only to reduce the discomfort associated with a fever. That is why we recommend when using these products, you use them to treat discomfort, rather than fever. We also recommend that you use acetaminophen when your child receives a DTaP vaccination. A dose of acetaminophen followed by a second dose four hours later has been shown to limit the side effects from this shot. If your child is less than three months old, don’t treat a fever without talking to your provider first.
Acetaminophen
| (Tylenol, Tempra, Panadol, Liquiprin, and generics) Give every 4 to 6 hours | |||||
| WEIGHT - lbs (kg) |
Infant Drops (To be discontinued) 80 mg =0.8 ml |
Suspension *Also new infant formula 160 mg = 5 ml = 1 tsp |
Chews 80 mg = 1 tab |
Jr Strength Chews 160 mg = 1 tab |
Jr Strength Caps 160 mg = 1 cap |
| < 6 lbs (<2.7 kg) |
- CONSULT PROVIDER - | ||||
| 6 to 9 lbs. (2.7 to 4 kg) |
0.4 ml = 40 mg |
1/4 tsp = 1.25 ml. = 40 mg |
- | - | - |
| 10 to 12 lbs. (4.5 to 5 kg) |
0.6 ml = 60 mg |
2.0 ml = 60 mg |
- | - | - |
| 13 to 17 lbs. (6 to 7.5 kg) |
0.8 ml = 80 mg |
1/2 tsp = 2.5 ml = 80 mg |
1 tab = 80 mg |
- | - |
| 18 to 23 lbs. (8 to 10 kg) |
1.2 ml = 120 mg |
3/4 tsp = 3.75 ml = 120 mg |
1½ tab = 120 mg |
- | - |
| 24 to 35 lbs. (11-15.75 kg) |
1.6 ml = 160 mg |
1 tsp = 5 ml = 160 mg |
2 tabs = 160 mg |
1 tab = 160 mg |
1 cap = 160 mg |
| 36 to 47 lbs (16 to 21 kg) |
- | 1½ tsp = 7.5 ml = 240 mg |
3 tabs = 240 mg |
1½ tab = 240 mg |
- |
| 48 to 59 lbs. (21.5 to 26.5 kg) |
- | 2 tsp = 10 ml = 320 mg |
4 tabs = 320 mg |
2 tabs = 320 mg |
2 caps = 320 mg |
| 60 to 71 lbs (27 to 32 kg) |
- | 2½ tsp = 12.5 ml = 400 mg |
5 tabs = 400 mg |
2½ tabs = 400 mg |
- |
| 72 to 95 lbs (32.5 to 40 kg) |
- | 3 tsp = 15 ml = 480 mg |
6 tabs = 480 mg |
3 tabs = 480 mg |
3 caps = 480 mg |
Ibuprofen
| (Motrin, Advil and generics) Give every 6 to 8 hours | |||||
| Weight - lbs (kg) |
Infant Drops 50 mg = 1.25 ml |
Suspension 100 mg = 5 ml = 1 tsp |
Chews 50 mg = 1 tab |
Jr Strength Chews 100 mg = 1 tab |
Jr Strength Caps 100 mg = 1 cap |
| < 6 lbs (< 2.7 kg) |
- CONSULT PROVIDER - | ||||
| 6 to 9 lbs (2.7 to 4 kg) |
0.625 ml = 25 mg |
1/4 tsp = 1.25 ml = 25 mg |
- | - | - |
| 10 to 12 lbs (4.5 to 5 kg) |
0.938 ml = 37.5 mg |
1.750 ml = 37.5 mg |
- | - | - |
| 13 to 17 lbs (6 to 7.5 kg) |
1.25 ml = 50 mg |
1/2 tsp = 2.5 ml = 50 mg |
1 tab = 50 mg |
- | - |
| 18 to 23 lbs (8 to 10 kg) |
1.875 ml = 75 mg |
3/4 tsp = 3.75 ml = 75 mg |
1½ tab = 75 mg |
- | - |
| 24 to 35 lbs (11 to 15.75 kg) |
2.5 ml = 100 mg |
1 tsp = 5 ml = 100 mg |
2 tabs = 100 mg |
1 tab = 100 mg |
1 cap = 100 mg |
| 36 to 47 lbs (16 to 21 kg) |
- | 1½ tsp = 7.5 mg = 150 mg |
3 tab = 150 mg |
1½ tab = 150 mg |
- |
| 48 to 59 lbs (21.5 to 26.5 kg) |
- | 2 tsp = 10 ml = 200 mg |
4 tabs = 200 mg |
2 tabs = 200 mg |
2 caps = 200 mg |
| 60 to 71 lbs (27 to 32 kg) |
- | 2½ tsp = 12.5 ml = 250 mg |
5 tabs = 250 mg |
2½ tabs = 250 mg |
- |
| 72 to 95 lbs (32.5 to 40 kg) |
- | 3 tsp = 15 ml = 300 mg |
6 tabs = 300 mg |
3 tabs = 300 mg |
3 caps = 300 mg |
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