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
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
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.