Acetaminophen (Tylenol) Dosing

Select your child’s weight from the table below. Please see table notes for important information.

  • Give 1.25 mL of the 160 mg/5 mL acetaminophen syrup by mouth every 4-6 hours as needed

  • Give 2.5 mL of the 160 mg/5 mL acetaminophen syrup by mouth every 4-6 hours as needed

  • Give 3.75 mL of the 160 mg/5 mL acetaminophen syrup by mouth every 4-6 hours as needed

  • Give 5 mL of the 160 mg/5 mL acetaminophen syrup by mouth every 4-6 hours as needed

    OR

    Give 1 children’s acetaminophen chewable 160 mg tablet by mouth every 4-6 hours as needed

  • Give 7.5 mL of the 160 mg/5 mL acetaminophen syrup by mouth every 4-6 hours as needed

    OR

    Give 1.5 children’s acetaminophen chewable 160 mg tablets by mouth every 4-6 hours as needed

  • Give 10 mL of the 160 mg/5 mL acetaminophen syrup by mouth every 4-6 hours as needed

    OR

    Give 2 children’s acetaminophen chewable 160 mg tablets by mouth every 4-6 hours as needed

    OR

    Give 1 adult acetaminophen 325 mg tablet every 4-6 hours as needed

  • Give 12.5 mL of the 160 mg/5 mL acetaminophen syrup by mouth every 4-6 hours as needed

    OR

    Give 2.5 children’s acetaminophen chewable 160 mg tablets by mouth every 4-6 hours as needed

    OR

    Give 1 adult acetaminophen 325 mg tablet every 4-6 hours as needed

  • Give 15 mL of the 160 mg/5 mL acetaminophen syrup by mouth every 4-6 hours as needed

    OR

    Give 3 children’s acetaminophen chewable 160 mg tablets by mouth every 4-6 hours as needed

    OR

    Give 1.5 adult acetaminophen 325 mg tablets every 4-6 hours as needed

    OR

    Give 1 adult acetaminophen 500 mg tablet every 4-6 hours as needed

  • Give 20 mL of the 160 mg/5 mL acetaminophen syrup by mouth every 4-6 hours as needed

    OR

    Give 4 children’s acetaminophen chewable 160 mg tablets by mouth every 4-6 hours as needed

    OR

    Give 2 adult acetaminophen 325 mg tablets every 4-6 hours as needed

    OR

    Give 1 adult acetaminophen 500 mg tablet every 4-6 hours as needed

  • CAUTION: In May 2011, a move to one standard concentration (160 mg/5 ml) of liquid acetaminophen medicine for infants and children was announced. Up until that time, there were mainly 2 concentrations: 80 mg/0.8 ml (Infant Concentrated Drops) and 160 mg/5 ml (Children’s Liquid Suspension or Syrup). Old concentrations (80mg/0.8 ml) of infant acetaminophen may still be available in some homes. Therefore, if it is an older product, please have the caller confirm the correct concentration of infant acetaminophen.

    AGE LIMIT: Don’t use under 12 weeks of age (Reason: fever during the first 12 weeks of life needs to be documented in a medical setting and if present, your infant needs a complete evaluation.) EXCEPTION: Fever from immunization if child is 8 weeks of age or older. Avoid multi-ingredient products in children under 6 years of age. (For more information, see FDA.gov).

    DOSAGE: Determine by finding child’s weight above.

    MEASURING the DOSAGE: Syringes and droppers are more accurate than teaspoons. If possible, use the syringe or dropper that comes with the medicine. If not, medicine syringes are available at pharmacies. If you use a teaspoon, it should be a measuring spoon. Regular spoons are not reliable. Also, remember that 1 level teaspoon equals 5 ml and that ½ teaspoon equals 2.5 ml.

    FREQUENCY: Repeat every 4-6 hours as needed. Don’t give more than 5 times a day.

    ADULT DOSAGE: 650 mg MAXIMUM: 3,000 mg in a 24-hour period.

    BRAND NAMES: Tylenol, Feverall (suppositories), generic acetaminophen

    MELTAWAYS: Dissolvable tabs that come in 80 mg and 160 mg (jr. strength)

    SUPPOSITORIES: Acetaminophen also comes in 80, 120, 325, and 650 mg suppositories (the rectal dose is the same as the dosage given by mouth).

    EXTENDED-RELEASE: Avoid 650 mg oral products in children (Reason: they are every 8-hour extended-release)

Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) Dosing

Select your child’s weight from the table below. Please see table notes for important information.

  • Give 1.25 ml of the infant’s ibuprofen drops (50 mg/1.25 mL) by mouth every 6 hours as needed

    OR

    Give 2.5 mL of the children’s liquid ibuprofen (100 mg/5 mL) by mouth every 6 hours as needed

  • Give 1.875 ml of the infant’s ibuprofen drops (50 mg/1.25 mL) by mouth every 6 hours as needed

    OR

    Give 4 mL of the children’s liquid ibuprofen (100 mg/5 mL) by mouth every 6 hours as needed

  • Give 2.5 ml of the infant’s ibuprofen drops (50 mg/1.25 mL) by mouth every 6 hours as needed

    OR

    Give 5 mL of the children’s liquid ibuprofen (100 mg/5 mL) by mouth every 6 hours as needed

    OR

    Give 2 tablets of the children’s ibuprofen 50 mg chewable tablets by mouth every 6 hours as needed

  • Give 3.75 ml of the infant’s ibuprofen drops (50 mg/1.25 mL) by mouth every 6 hours as needed

    OR

    Give 7.5 mL of the children’s liquid ibuprofen (100 mg/5 mL) by mouth every 6 hours as needed

    OR

    Give 3 tablets of the children’s ibuprofen 50 mg chewable tablets by mouth every 6 hours as needed

  • Give 5 ml of the infant’s ibuprofen drops (50 mg/1.25 mL) by mouth every 6 hours as needed

    OR

    Give 10 mL of the children’s liquid ibuprofen (100 mg/5 mL) by mouth every 6 hours as needed

    OR

    Give 4 tablets of the children’s ibuprofen 50 mg chewable tablets by mouth every 6 hours as needed

    OR

    Give 2 tablets of the junior strength ibuprofen 100 mg chewable tablets by mouth every 6 hours as needed

    OR

    Give 1 tablet of the adult’s ibuprofen 200 mg by mouth every 6 hours as needed

  • Give 12.5 mL of the children’s liquid ibuprofen (100 mg/5 mL) by mouth every 6 hours as needed

    OR

    Give 5 tablets of the children’s ibuprofen 50 mg chewable tablets by mouth every 6 hours as needed

    OR

    Give 2.5 tablets of the junior strength ibuprofen 100 mg chewable tablets by mouth every 6 hours as needed

    OR

    Give 1 tablet of the adult’s ibuprofen 200 mg by mouth every 6 hours as needed

  • Give 15 mL of the children’s liquid ibuprofen (100 mg/5 mL) by mouth every 6 hours as needed

    OR

    Give 6 tablets of the children’s ibuprofen 50 mg chewable tablets by mouth every 6 hours as needed

    OR

    Give 3 tablets of the junior strength ibuprofen 100 mg chewable tablets by mouth every 6 hours as needed

    OR

    Give 1.5 tablet of the adult’s ibuprofen 200 mg by mouth every 6 hours as needed

  • Give 20 mL of the children’s liquid ibuprofen (100 mg/5 mL) by mouth every 6 hours as needed

    OR

    Give 8 tablets of the children’s ibuprofen 50 mg chewable tablets by mouth every 6 hours as needed

    OR

    Give 4 tablets of the junior strength ibuprofen 100 mg chewable tablets by mouth every 6 hours as needed

    OR

    Give 2 tablets of the adult’s ibuprofen 200 mg by mouth every 6 hours as needed

  • AGE LIMIT: Do not use under 6 months of age unless directed by child’s doctor. (Reason: safety not established and doesn’t have FDA approval). Avoid multi-ingredient products in children under 6 years of age (FDA recommendations 1/2008).

    DOSAGE: Determine by finding child’s weight in the top row of the dosage table.

    MEASURING the DOSAGE: Syringes and droppers are more accurate than teaspoons. If possible, use the syringe or dropper that comes with the medication. If you use a teaspoon, it should be a measuring spoon. Regular spoons are not reliable. Also, remember that 1 level teaspoon equals 5 ml and that ½ teaspoon equals 2.5 ml.

    IBUPROFEN DROPS: Ibuprofen infant drops come with a measuring syringe

    BRAND NAMES: Motrin, Advil, generic ibuprofen

    ADULT DOSAGE: 400 mg

    FREQUENCY: Repeat every 6-8 hours as needed

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) Dosing

Select your child’s weight from the table below. Please see table notes for important information.

  • Give 2 mL of the children’s liquid diphenhydramine suspension (12.5 mg/5mL) by mouth every 6 hours as needed

  • Give 3 mL of the children’s liquid diphenhydramine suspension (12.5 mg/5mL) by mouth every 6 hours as needed

  • Give 4 mL of the children’s liquid diphenhydramine suspension (12.5 mg/5mL) by mouth every 6 hours as needed

  • Give 5 mL of the children’s liquid diphenhydramine suspension (12.5 mg/5mL) by mouth every 6 hours as needed

    OR

    Give 1 tablet of the children’s diphenhydramine chewable (12.5 mg) tablets by mouth every 6 hours as needed

  • Give 7.5 mL of the children’s liquid diphenhydramine suspension (12.5 mg/5mL) by mouth every 6 hours as needed

    OR

    Give 1.5 tablets of the children’s diphenhydramine chewable (12.5 mg) tablets by mouth every 6 hours as needed

    OR

    Give 0.5 tablet (12.5 mg total) of the 25 mg adult diphenhydramine tablets by mouth every 6 hours as needed

  • Give 10 mL of the children’s liquid diphenhydramine suspension (12.5 mg/5mL) by mouth every 6 hours as needed

    OR

    Give 2 tablets of the children’s diphenhydramine chewable (12.5 mg) tablets by mouth every 6 hours as needed

    OR

    Give 1 tablet of the 25 mg adult diphenhydramine tablets by mouth every 6 hours

    OR

    Give 1 capsule of the 25 mg adult diphenhydramine capsules by mouth every 6 hours as needed

  • Give 4 tablets of the children’s diphenhydramine chewable (12.5 mg) tablets by mouth every 6 hours as needed

    OR

    Give 2 tablets of the 25 mg adult diphenhydramine tablets by mouth every 6 hours as needed

    OR

    Give 2 capsules of the 25 mg adult diphenhydramine capsules by mouth every 6 hours as needed

  • DIPHENHYDRAMINE (Brand Name: Benadryl) For infants 6 months or older only** Benadryl is an antihistamine, so it can be used for allergic reactions and allergies. It can be given every 6 hours. Benadryl comes in Children’s liquid suspension, Children’s Chewable tablets, Children’s Meltaway strips or adult tablets.

    Age of child: Do not give diphenhydramine to children less than 6 years of age unless your child's doctor tells you to. There are other medicines that are like diphenhydramine but will not make your child sleepy (like loratadine, cetirizine, fexofenadine) that can be bought without a prescription and are safer for young children.

    Measuring the dose for liquid medicines (should be in "mL" or metric units): It is easier to give the right amount of medicine when using a syringe than when using a kitchen teaspoon or tablespoon. Use the tool that comes with the medicine. If a tool does not come with the medicine, ask your pharmacist for one.

    How often to give the medicine (frequency): You can give diphenhydramine every 6 hours as needed.

    Adult dose: 50 mg

    Side effects: This medicine can make a child sleepy. Some children, however, may get more excited and active instead of getting sleepy. Because this medicine can make people sleepy, it is important to be careful when driving or using heavy machines after taking this medicine. This is especially important for teens who are driving.

    Use in Countries Outside the U.S.: Dose tables are based on U.S. products. Concentrations may vary in countries outside the U.S. Always check the concentration is the same before using this dose table.

Cetirizine (Zyrtec) Dosing

Select your child’s age from the table below. Please see table notes for important information.

  • Give 2.5 mL of the children’s liquid cetirizine suspension (5 mg/5mL) by mouth every 24 hours as needed

  • Give 5 mL of the children’s liquid cetirizine suspension (5 mg/5mL) by mouth every 24 hours as needed.

    You may increase to 10 mL (10 mg) every 24 hours for more severe symptoms as needed.

  • Give 10 mL of the children’s liquid diphenhydramine suspension (5 mg/5mL) by mouth every 24 hours as needed

  • Cetirizine (Brand Name: Zyrtec) For infants 6 months or older only** Cetirizine is an antihistamine, so it can be used for allergic reactions and allergies. It can be given every 24 hours. Cetirizine comes in Children’s liquid suspension 5 mg/5 mL. There are also tablets and chewable available.

    Measuring the dose for liquid medicines (should be in "mL" or metric units): It is easier to give the right amount of medicine when using a syringe than when using a kitchen teaspoon or tablespoon. Use the tool that comes with the medicine. If a tool does not come with the medicine, ask your pharmacist for one.

    How often to give the medicine (frequency): You can give cetirizine every 24 hours as needed.

    Adult dose: 10 mg every 24 hours

    Side effects: This is a second generation antihistamine so side effects are typically milder than those from the first generation like diphenhydramine (Benadryl). However, because it is an antihistamine, this medicine can make a child sleepy. It is therefore important to be careful when driving or using heavy machines after taking this medicine. This is especially important for teens who are driving.

    Use in Countries Outside the U.S.: Dose tables are based on U.S. products. Concentrations may vary in countries outside the U.S. Always check the concentration is the same before using this dose table.