Home For Parents Tylenol/Motrin Dosing Guide

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and Ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin) Dosing The tables below provide recommended dosage charts for acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Motrin/Advil). Here are some important general guidelines for using these products: •   Whenever possible, use your child’s most current weight when choosing an appropriate dose of medication. •   Temperature should be measured rectally in children under 6 months; ear (otic) thermometers should be reserved for children over the age of 6 months. An oral thermometer is not appropriate until your child can hold it under his tongue for several minutes without biting (usually around age 5). •   Never give acetaminophen or ibuprofen to an infant under 2 months of age unless directed by a physician. In addition, do not give ibuprofen to an infant under the age of 6 months without specific direction from a physician. •   Acetaminophen rectal suppositories can be purchased at your pharmacy without a prescription. They are helpful to have on hand in case your child has fever or pain and is vomiting and can’t keep down acetaminophen by mouth. Use K-Y Jelly or Vaseline to lubricate the suppository and insert in the child’s rectum every 4 hours as necessary     Acetaminophen (Tylenol) Dosage Chart (every 4 hours, as needed WEIGHT AGE INFANT DROPS (80 mg/0.8 ml) CHILDREN'S SUSPENSION/ ELIXIR (160 mg/5 ml) CHILDREN'S SOFT CHEW TABLETS (80 mg each) JR.STRENGTH TABS/CAPS (160 mg each) RECTAL SUPPOSITORIES (various doses) 6-11 lbs 2-3 mos. 0.4 ml = ½ dropper       (½) 80 mg suppository 12-17 lbs 4-11 mos. 0.8 ml = 1 dropper ½ tsp = 2.5 ml     (1) 80 mg suppository 18-23 lbs 12-23 mos. 1.2 ml = 1½ dropper ¾ tsp = 3.75 ml     (1) 120 mg suppository 24-35 lbs 2-3 yrs. 1.6 ml = 2 droppers 1 tsp = 5 ml 2 chew tabs   (½) 325 mg suppository 36-47 lbs 4-5 yrs.   1½ tsp = 7.5 ml 3 chew tabs 1½ tabs/caps (2) 120 mg suppositories 48-59 lbs 6-8 yrs.   2 tsp = 10 ml 4 chew tabs 2 tabs/caps (1) 325 mg suppository 60-71 lbs 9-10 yrs.   2½ tsp = 12.5 ml 5 chew tabs 2½ tabs/caps (1) 325 mg suppository 72-95 lbs 11 yrs.   3 tsp = 15 ml 6 chew tabs 3 tabs/caps (1½) 325 mg suppository over 95 lbs over 11 yrs.       4 tabs/caps OR 2 adult tabs/caps (1) 650 mg suppository OR (2) 325 mg suppositories Ibuprofen (Motrin/Advil) Dosage Chart (every 6-8 hours, as needed) WEIGHT AGE INFANT DROPS (50 mg/1.25 ml) CHILDREN'S SUSPENSION (100 mg/5 ml) CHEWABLE TABS (100 mg each) if fever < 102.5 if fever > 102.5 or pain relief if fever < 102.5 if fever > 102.5 or pain relief if fever < 102.5 if fever > 102.5 or pain relief under 12 lbs 0-6 mos. Do not give ibuprofen to an infant under the age of 6 months without specific direction from a physician. 12-17 lbs 6-11 mos. 25 mg = 0.675 ml 50 mg = 1.25 ml ¼ tsp = 1.25 ml/25 mg ½ tsp = 2.5 ml/50 mg     18-23 lbs 12-23 mos. 50 mg = 1.25 ml 100 mg = 2.5 ml ½ tsp = 2.5 ml/50 mg 1 tsp = 5 ml/100 mg ½ tab = 50 mg 1 tab = 100 mg 24-35 lbs 2-3 yrs. 75 mg = 1.875 ml 150 mg = 3.75 ml ¾ tsp = 3.75 ml/75 mg 1½ tsp = 7.5 ml/150 mg ¾ tab = 75 mg 1½ tab = 150 mg 36-47 lbs 4-5 yrs.     1 tsp = 5 ml/100 mg 2 tsp = 10 ml/200 mg 1 tab = 100 mg 2 tabs = 200 mg 48-59 lbs 6-8 yrs.     1¼ tsp = 6.25 ml/125 mg 2½ tsp = 12.5 ml/250 mg 1¼ tab = 125 mg 2½ tabs = 250 mg 60-71 lbs 9-10 yrs.     1½ tsp = 7.5 ml/150 mg 3 tsp = 15 ml/300 mg 1½ tab = 150 mg 3 tabs = 300 mg 72-95 lbs 11 yrs.     2 tsp = 10 ml/200 mg OR 1 adult cap/tab 4 tsp = 20 ml/400 mg OR 2 adult cap/tab 2 tabs = 200 mg OR 1 adult cap/tab 4 tabs = 400 mg OR 2 adult cap/tab over 95 lbs over 11 yrs. For older children who can swallow pills, adult ibuprofen contains 200 mg per capsule/tablet. Children 12 years and older can take 2 adult caps/tabs every 6-8 hours as needed, regardless of the reason for the medicine (fever, pain, headache, etc.). Ibuprofen doses are calculated according to the reason for the medicine, including height of fever (rectal/ear) and treatment of pain. If you are taking your child’s temperature orally, add one degree to the actual reading to determine the number you should use above. Do not give ibuprofen to a child with chickenpox.   [ Back ]