Dosing Charts

The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has recommended that pharmaceutical industry produce only one concentration of acetaminophen in order to prevent dosing mistakes. However, medication with different drug concentrations but similar-appearing names can still be found in stores and in medicine cabinets. ALWAYS check the active ingredients section on the medication label for the drug concentration (the amount of drug in a certain amount of fluid – for instance, “_mg in _milliliters”         or “ _mg in each tablet”).  Once you check the concentration on the label, check the chart below for your child’s dosage. Call us if you have any questions.

Acetaminophen Dosage

Acetaminophen Types	10-11 lbs	12-17 lbs	18-23 lbs	24-35 lbs	36-47 lbs	48-59 lbs	60-85 lbs
NEW INFANT CONCENTRATION (CHECK BOTTLE UNDER ACTIVE INGREDIENTS) 160mg in each 5 milliliters	1.25ml = 1/4 teaspoon	2.5ml = 1/2 teaspoon	3.75ml = 3/4 teaspoon	5 ml = 1 teaspoon	7. 5 ml = 1 ½ teaspoons	10 ml = 2 teaspoons	12. 5 ml = 2 ½ teaspoons
OLD INFANT CONCENTRATION (CHECK BOTTLE UNDER ACTIVE INGREDIENTS) 80mg in each 0.8 milliliters	0.4 ml (1/2 dropper)	0.8 ml (1 dropper)	1.2 ml (1 ½ dropper)	1.6 ml (2 dropper)
CHILDREN'S CONCENTRATION (CHECK BOTTLE UNDER ACTIVE INGREDIENTS) 160mg in each 5 milliliters	1.25ml = 1/4 teaspoon	2.5ml = 1/2 teaspoon	3.75ml = 3/4 teaspoon	5 ml = 1 teaspoon	7. 5 ml = 1 ½ teaspoons	10 ml = 2 teaspoons	12. 5 ml = 2 ½ teaspoons
Chewable or meltaway (CHECK BOTTLE UNDER ACTIVE INGREDIENTS) 80mg tablets					3 tablets	4 tablets	5 tablets
Chewable or meltaway (CHECK BOTTLE UNDER ACTIVE INGREDIENTS) 160mg tablets						2 tablets	2 ½ tablets
Suppository (CHECK BOX UNDER ACTIVE INGREDIENTS) 120mg			1 supp.	1 ½ supp.
Suppository (CHECK BOX UNDER ACTIVE INGREDIENTS) 325mg				1/2 supp.	3/4 supp.	1 supp.

Please note: One dose lasts 4 - 6 hours. Do not give >5 doses in 24 hours.

 

Printable Acetaminophen Chart

 

Ibuprofen Dosage

		Infant's Ibuprofen Concentrated Drops 50mg/1.25mL	Children's Ibuprofen Suspension 100mg/5mL	Children's Soft Chewable Tablets 50mg each	Junior Strength Chewable Tablets 100mg each	Junior Strength Ibupofen Caplets 100mg
Weight	Age	Dropperful (Use dropper)	Teaspoon	Tablet	Tablet	Caplet
12-17 lbs	6-11 mos	1 = (1.25 mL)
18-23 lbs	12-23 mos	1 ½ = (1.875 mL)
24-35 lbs	2-3 yrs	2 = (2.5 mL)	1 tsp.	2
36-47 lbs	4-5 yrs		1½ tsp.	3
48-59 lbs	6-8 yrs		2 tsp.	4	2	2
60-71 lbs	9-10 yrs		2 ½ tsp.	5	2 ½	2 ½
72-95 lbs	11 yrs		3 tsp.	6	3	3

Please Note: One dose lasts 6-8 hours. Not to be used under 6 months.

 

• Milliliter is abbreviated as mL; 5mL equals one teaspoon (tsp).
• Don't use household teaspoons, which can vary in size.
• Aspirin should not be used in children to treat fever or pain.