Giving medicine in the right way can help your child feel better. Always look carefully at the label on the drug and follow the directions. Each type of drug has different directions based on the age and weight of a child.
Fever, pain
Acetaminophen and ibuprofen can help your child feel better if your child has head or body aches or a fever. They can also help with pain from injuries such as a bruise or sprain and from soreness caused by a needle shot.
Cold and cough
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that OTC cough and cold medicines not be given to infants and small children because they have not been proven effective and can be harmful (blood pressure, heart rate, and sedative effects). Please call us to discuss other ways to treat cold symptoms, such as saline nasal sprays or drops for children and bulb suctioning of the nose for babies.
Allergy, itching
Antihistamines such as Diphenhydramine can be used to treat your child’s runny nose, itchy eyes, and sneezing due to allergies. They can also help reduce itching from insect bites and other rashes including hives and eczema. Unless it is an emergency, do not use Diphenhydramine under 1 year of age without consulting with a medical provider and avoid use in children under 4 years old (Reason: it's a sedative).
- Acetaminophen Dosage Sheet (Printable)
- Ibuprofen Dosage Sheet (Printable)
- Diphenhydramine Dosage Sheet (Printable)
Acetaminophen Dosing
Child’s Weight (lb) | Dose in mg | Infants’ or Children’s Oral Suspension (160mg/ 5mL) | Children’s Chewable 80mg tablets | Junior Chewable 160mg tablets | Adult 325mg tablets | Adult 500mg tablets |
6-11 lbs | 40 mg | 1.25 mL | ||||
12-17 lbs | 80 mg | 2.5 mL | ||||
18-23 lbs | 120 mg | 3.75 mL | 1 ½ tabs | |||
24-35 lbs | 160 mg | 5 mL | 2 tabs | 1 tab | ||
36-47 lbs | 240 mg | 7.5 mL | 3 tabs | 1 ½ tabs | ||
48-59 lbs | 320 mg | 10 mL | 4 tabs | 2 tabs | 1 tab | |
60-71 lbs | 400 mg | 12.5 mL | 5 tabs | 2 ½ tabs | 1 tab | |
72-95 lbs | 480 mg | 15 mL | 6 tabs | 3 tabs | 1 ½ tabs | 1 tab |
Ibuprofen Dosing
Child’s Weight (lb)
|
Dose in mg
|
Infants’ Drops (50mg/ 1.25mL)
|
Junior Chewable 100mg tablets
|
Adult 200mg tablets
|
Children’s Suspension (100mg/5mL)
|
12-17 lbs
|
50 mg
|
1.25 mL
|
|
|
2.5 mL
|
18-23 lbs
|
75 mg
|
1.875 mL
|
|
|
3.75 mL
|
24-35 lbs
|
100 mg
|
2.5 mL
|
1 tab
|
|
5 mL
|
36-47 lbs
|
150 mg
|
3.75 mL
|
1 ½ tab
|
|
7.5 mL
|
48-59 lbs
|
200 mg
|
5 mL
|
2 tabs
|
1 tab
|
10 mL
|
60-71 lbs
|
250 mg
|
|
2 ½ tabs |
1 ¼ tabs
|
12.5 mL
|
72-95 lbs
|
300 mg 3 tabs 1 ½ tabs 15 mL
|
|
3 tabs
|
1 ½ tabs
|
15 mL
|
Benadryl Dosing
Child’s Weight (lb) | Dose in mg | Children’s Liquid (12.5mg/ 5mL) | Chewable/Fastmelts 12.5mg tablets | Tabs/Caps/Gels 25mg tablets |
*12-16 lbs | 6.25 mg | 2.5 mL | ||
*17-19 lbs | 9.375 mg | 3.75 mL | ||
*20-24 lbs | 10 mg | 4 mL | ||
25-37 lbs | 12.5 mg | 5 mL | 1 tab | |
38-49 lbs | 18.75 mg | 7.5 mL | 1.5 tabs | |
50-69 lbs | 25 mg | 10 mL | 2 tabs | 1 tab |
70-99 lbs | 37.5 mg | 15 mL | 3 tabs | 1.5 tabs |
>100 lbs | 50 mg | 20 mL | 4 tabs | 2 tabs |