OTC Medications
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) Dosage Table
| Child's weight (pounds) | 6-11 | 12-17 | 18-23 | 24-35 | 36-47 | 48-59 | 60-71 | 72-95 | 96+ | lbs |
| Liquid 160 mg/ 5 milliliters (mL) | 1.25 | 2.5 | 3.75 | 5 | 7.5 | 10 | 12.5 | 15 | 20 | mL |
| Liquid 160 mg/ 1 teaspoon (tsp) | -- | ½ | ¾ | 1 | 1½ | 2 | 2½ | 3 | 4 | tsp |
| Chewable 80 mg tablets | -- | -- | 1½ | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 8 | tabs |
| Chewable 160 mg tablets | -- | -- | -- | 1 | 1½ | 2 | 2½ | 3 | 4 | tabs |
| Adult 325 mg tablets | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 1 | 1 | 1½ | 2 | tabs |
| Adult 500 mg tablets | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 1 | 1 | tab |
When to Use: Treatment of fever and pain.
Caution: Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be found in many prescription and over-the-counter medicines. Read the labels to be sure your child is not getting it from 2 products. If you have questions, call your child’s doctor.
Table Notes:
- Age Limits. Don't use under 12 weeks of age unless told by child's doctor. Reason: fever in the first 12 weeks of life needs to be seen now. If present, your baby needs a medical exam now. Exception: Fever starting within 24 hours of vaccines if child is 8 weeks of age or older. If under 6 years, don't give products with more than one ingredient in them (FDA recommendation 2008).
- Dose. Find the child's weight in the top row of the dose table. Look below the correct weight for the dose based on the product you have.
- Measure the Dose. Syringes and droppers are better to use than teaspoons. If possible, use the syringe or dropper that comes with the medicine. If not, you can get a med syringe at a drug store. If you use a teaspoon, it should be a measuring spoon. Reason: regular spoons are not reliable. Keep in mind 1 level teaspoon equals 5 mL and that ½ teaspoon equals 2.5 mL.
- How Often. Repeat every 4-6 hours as needed. Don't give more than 5 times a day.
- Adult Dose. 650 mg
- Brand Names. Tylenol, Feverall (suppositories), generic acetaminophen
- Meltaways. Tabs that dissolve come in 80 mg and 160 mg (jr. strength)
- Suppositories. Come in 80, 120, 325 and 650 mg. The rectal dose is the same as the dose given by mouth.
- Extended-Release. Do not use 650 mg oral products in children. Reason: they are every 8-hour extended-release.
Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) Dosage Table
| Child's weight (pounds) | 12-17 | 18-23 | 24-35 | 36-47 | 48-59 | 60-71 | 72-95 | 96+ | lbs |
| Infant Drops 50 mg/ 1.25 mL | 1.25 | 1.875 | 2.5 | 3.75 | 5 | -- | -- | -- | mL |
| Liquid 100 mg/ 5 milliliters (mL) | 2.5 | 4 | 5 | 7.5 | 10 | 12.5 | 15 | 20 | mL |
| Liquid 100 mg/ 1 teaspoon (tsp) | ½ | ¾ | 1 | 1½ | 2 | 2½ | 3 | 4 | tsp |
| Chewable 50 mg tablets | -- | -- | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 8 | tabs |
| Junior-strength 100 mg tablets | -- | -- | -- | -- | 2 | 2½ | 3 | 4 | tabs |
| Adult 200 mg tablets | -- | -- | -- | -- | 1 | 1 | 1½ | 2 | tabs |
When to Use. Treatment of fever and pain.
Table Notes:
- Age Limits. Don't use under 6 months of age unless told by your child's doctor. Reason: safety not established and not approved by FDA. If under 6 years, don't give products with more than one ingredient in them (FDA recommendation 2008).
- Dose. Find the child's weight in the top row of the dose table. Look below the correct weight for the dose based on the product you have.
- Measure the Dose. Syringes and droppers are more accurate than teaspoons. If possible, use the syringe or dropper that comes with the medicine. If not, you can get a med syringe at drug stores. If you use a teaspoon, it should be a measuring spoon. Reason: regular spoons are not reliable. Keep in mind 1 level teaspoon equals 5 mL and that ½ teaspoon equals 2.5 mL.
- Infant Drops. Ibuprofen infant drops come with a syringe.
- How Often. Repeat every 6-8 hours as needed.
- Adult Dose. 400 mg
- Brand Names. Motrin, Advil, generic ibuprofen
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) Dosage Table
| Child's weight (pounds) | 20-24 | 25-37 | 38-49 | 50-99 | 100+ | lbs. |
| Liquid 12.5 mg/ 5 milliliters (mL) | 4 | 5 | 7.5 | 10 | -- | mL |
| Liquid 12.5 mg/ 1 teaspoon (tsp) | ¾ | 1 | 1½ | 2 | -- | tsp |
| Chewable 12.5 mg | -- | 1 | 1½ | 2 | 4 | tablets |
| Tablets 25 mg | -- | ½ | ½ | 1 | 2 | tablets |
| Capsules 25 mg | -- | -- | -- | 1 | 2 | caps |
When to Use. Treatment of allergic reactions, nasal allergies, hives and itching.
Table Notes:
- Age Limits. For allergies, don't use under 1 year of age. Reason: it causes most babies to be sleepy. For colds, not advised at any age. Reason: no proven benefits. It should not be given if under 4 years old. If under 6 years, don't give products with more than one ingredient in them (FDA recommendation 2008).
- Dose. Find the child's weight in the top row of the dose table. Look below the correct weight for the dose based on the product you have.
- Measure the Dose. Syringes and droppers are more accurate than teaspoons. If possible, use the syringe or dropper that comes with the medicine. If not, you can get a med syringe at drug stores. If you use a teaspoon, it should be a measuring spoon. Reason: regular spoons are not reliable. Keep in mind 1 level teaspoon equals 5 mL and that ½ teaspoon equals 2.5 mL.
- Adult Dose. 50 mg
- How Often. Repeat every 6 hours as needed.
- Children's Benadryl Fastmelts. Each fastmelt tablet equals 12.5 mg. They are dosed the same as chewable tablets.
Author: Barton D. Schmitt, M.D., FAAP
Copyright 1994-2015 Barton D. Schmitt, M.D. All rights reserved.