Medicine dosage chart

This chart can help you give your child the correct dosage in the event of a fever. Keep these things in mind:

  • Never give a baby younger than 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 are different forms and concentrations. 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.

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

Dose

Infant Drops
(80mg/ .8ml)

Children's Syrup
(160 mg/5cc)

Chewables
80mg

Chewables
160 mg

6-12 lbs

40 mg

0.4 ml

 

 

 

13-17 lbs

80 mg

0.8 ml

1/2 tsp

1 tab

 

18-23 lbs

120 mg

1.2 ml

3/4 tsp

 

 

24-35 lbs

160 mg

1.6 ml

1 tsp

2 tabs

1 tab

36-47 lbs

240 mg

2.4 ml

1 1/2 tsp

3 tabs

1 1/2 tabs

48-59 lbs

320 mg

 

2 tsp

4 tabs

2 tabs

60-71 lbs

400 mg

 

2 1/2 tsp

5 tabs

2 1/2 tabs

72-95 lbs

480 mg

 

3 tsp

6 tabs

3 tabs

95+ lbs

640 mg

 

4 tsp

8 tabs

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. Bayshore Pediatrics takes no responsibility for the all inclusive accuracy and content this page.

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