Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and Ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin) Dosing
(Updated 10/19)
The tables below provide recommended dosage charts for acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Motrin/Advil). Here are some important general guidelines for using these products:
- We recommend acetaminophen/Tylenol as a first line treatment for fever. If your child's response does not seem adequate, try ibuprofen as an alternative. Either medication can be used for pain; ibuprofen may have some benefits for pain related to inflammation.
- You are treating your child, not a number on the thermometer. Your goal in treating a fever is to make your child comfortable, not to make the number lower.
- Whenever possible, use your child’s most current weight when choosing an appropriate dose of medication.
- Do not give both acetaminophen and ibuprofen to a child with fever. It is OK to “tag team” a dose of the second medicine on a one-time basis if you are having trouble making your child comfortable, but this should not be a recurrent procedure. Please discuss this with your physician.
- Temperature should be measured with an approprite device which you understand how to use correctly. Contact our office if you have questions.
- Never give acetaminophen or ibuprofen to an infant under 2 months of age. 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
Suspension
(160 mg/5 mL) |
Children's
Suspension
(160 mg/5 ml) |
Children's
Soft Chew
Tablets
(160 mg each) |
Children's
Dissolve
Packs
(160 mg each) |
Jr. Strength
Tabs/Caps
(160 mg each) |
Rectal
Suppositories
(various doses) |
| 6-11 lbs |
2-3 mos. |
1.25 mL |
|
|
|
|
(½) 80 mg suppository |
| 12-17 lbs |
4-11 mos. |
2.5 mL |
2.5 mL |
|
|
|
(1) 80 mg suppository |
| 18-23 lbs |
12-23 mos. |
3.75 mL |
3.75 mL |
|
|
|
(1) 120 mg suppository |
| 24-35 lbs |
2-3 yrs. |
5 mL |
5 mL |
1 chew tab |
DO NOT USE < 6 years |
|
(½) 325 mg suppository |
| 36-47 lbs |
4-5 yrs. |
|
7.5 mL |
1½ chew tabs |
DO NOT USE < 48 lbs |
1½ tabs/caps |
(2) 120 mg suppositories |
| 48-59 lbs |
6-8 yrs. |
|
10 mL |
2 chew tabs |
2 powder packs |
2 tabs/caps |
(1) 325 mg suppository |
| 60-71 lbs |
9-10 yrs. |
|
12.5 mL |
2½ chew tabs |
2 powder packs |
2½ tabs/caps |
(1) 325 mg suppository |
| 72-95 lbs |
11 yrs. |
|
15 mL |
3 chew tabs |
3 powder packs |
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. |
0.675 mL (25 mg) |
1.25 mL
(50 mg) |
1.25 mL
(25 mg) |
2.5 mL
(50 mg) |
|
|
| 18-23 lbs |
12-23 mos. |
1.25 mL
(50 mg) |
2.5 mL
(100 mg) |
2.5 mL
(50 mg) |
5 mL
(100 mg) |
½ tab = 50 mg |
1 tab = 100 mg |
| 24-35 lbs |
2-3 yrs. |
1.875 mL (75 mg) |
3.75 mL
(150 mg) |
3.75 mL
(75 mg) |
7.5 mL
(150 mg) |
¾ tab = 75 mg |
1½ tab = 150 mg |
| 36-47 lbs |
4-5 yrs. |
|
|
5 mL
(100 mg) |
10 mL
(200 mg) |
1 tab = 100 mg |
2 tabs = 200 mg |
| 48-59 lbs |
6-8 yrs. |
|
|
6.25 mL
(125 mg) |
12.5 mL
(250 mg) |
1¼ tab = 125 mg |
2½ tabs = 250 mg |
| 60-71 lbs |
9-10 yrs. |
|
|
7.5 mL
(150 mg) |
15 mL
(300 mg) |
1½ tab = 150 mg |
3 tabs = 300 mg |
| 72-95 lbs |
11 yrs. |
|
|
10 mL
(200 mg)
OR 1 adult cap/tab |
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 and treatment of pain. Do not give ibuprofen to a child with chickenpox. |