This chart can help you give your child the correct dosage in the event of a fever. Keep these things in mind, though:
- Never give a baby under the age of 3 months these drugs without talking to your doctor first.
- Your child’s age is a guide, but his/her weight is the factor in how much medicine to give.
- Read the label first. There’s different forms and concentrations. Also 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.
Medicine for a fever:
ACETAMINOPHEN
The following table gives acetaminophen dosage guidelines by weight. It can be used for the different available commercial products including Tylenol, Tempra, Panadol and generics.
| Weight |
Age |
Infant Drops
(80mg/ .8ml) |
Children’s Syrup
(160 mg/5cc) |
Chewables
80mg |
Chewables
160 mg |
| 6-11 lbs |
0-3 mos |
0.4 ml |
|
|
|
| 12-17 lbs |
4-11 mos |
0.8 ml |
1/2 tsp |
|
|
| 18-23 lbs |
12-23 mos |
1.2 ml |
3/4 tsp |
|
|
| 24-35 lbs |
2-3 yrs |
1.6 ml |
1 tsp |
2 tabs |
|
| 36-47 lbs |
4-5 yrs |
|
1 1/2 tsp |
3 tabs |
|
| 48-59 lbs |
6-8 yrs |
|
2 tsp |
4 tabs |
2 tabs |
| 60-71 lbs |
9-10 yrs |
|
2 1/2 tsp |
5 tabs |
2 1/2 tabs |
| 72-95 lbs |
11 yrs |
|
3 tsp |
6 tabs |
3 tabs |
| 96+ lbs |
12 yrs |
|
|
|
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 |
Oral Drops
(50mg/1.25ml) |
Suspension
(100mg/5ml) |
Chewables
50 mg |
Chewables
100 mg |
Caplets
100 mg |
| 12-17 lbs |
50 mg |
1 dropper |
1/2 tsp |
|
|
|
| 18-23 lbs |
100 mg |
2 droppers |
1 tsp |
2 tabs |
1 tab |
|
| 24-35 lbs |
150 mg |
3 droppers |
1 1/2 tsp |
3 tabs |
1 1/2 tabs |
|
| 36-47 lbs |
200 mg |
4 droppers |
2 tsp |
4 tabs |
2 tabs |
2 caps |
| 48-59 lbs |
250 mg |
|
2 1/2 tsp |
5 tabs |
2 1/2 tabs |
2 1/2 caps |
| 60-71 lbs |
300 mg |
|
3 tsp |
6 tabs |
3 tabs |
3 caps |
| 72-95 lbs |
400 mg |
|
4 tsp |
8 tabs |
4 tabs |
4 caps |
|
This page is meant to provide reliable information consistent with the standard of care at the time of publication. It is not designed to be all inclusive nor is it intended to substitute for the individual advice and decision-making provided by your pediatrician. Shoreview Pediatrics takes no responsibility for the all inclusive accuracy and content this page.
