Centre Pediatric Associates, P.C. *an affiliated pediatric practice*

Health Tips Caduceus

The purpose of this information is to give you a little insight into the topics most frequently asked by our parents. This information is designed to be used as a guideline. We encourage you to call our office, (617) 735-8585, when you have concerns regarding the care and well being of your child.

Block M EDICINE DOSAGE

ACETAMINOPHEN NOTICE

It has been brought to our attention that the droppers that come with concentrated infant acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) are not all the same. At least one generic product, carried by CVS, has a dropper that is oversized. As a result of the oversized dropper, giving your child a “dropperful” of concentrated infant acetaminophen may be an incorrect dose.

Generally, concentrated infant acetaminophen comes with a dropper marked 0.4 ml and 0.8 ml. Some larger bottles of this medication come with a longer dropper marked only 1.6 ml. Giving your child a “dropperful” using this longer dropper could result in giving a greater dose than recommended.

Please check all products carefully before giving your child concentrated infant acetaminophen.

TYLENOL (ACETAMINOPHEN) DOSING
WT. (lbs) AGE INFANT DROPS
80MG/0.8
(dropful)
LIQUID SUSPENSION
160mg/5cc
(teaspoon)
CHEWABLE TABS**
80mg/tab
CHEWABLE TABS**
160mg/tab
(or caplet)
6-8* 0-2 mos* 1/2*      
9-10* 0-2 mos* 3/4*
11-12* 2-3 mos* 1* 1/2
13-15 4-5 mos 1 1/4 1/2
16-18 6-8 mos 1 1/2 3/4
19-20 9-10 mos 1 3/4 3/4
21-25 11-20 mos 2 1 2 1
26-30 21-30 mos   1 1/4 2 1/2 1
31-35 3 yrs 1 1/2 3 1 1/2
36-41 4-5 yrs 1 3/4 3 1/2 1 1/2
42-47 6 yrs 2 4 2
48-53 7 yrs   4 1/2 2
54-59 8 yrs 5 2 1/2
60-65 9 yrs 5 1/2 2 1/2

*REMEMBER: DO NOT GIVE TYLENOL TO AN INFANT BETWEEN THE AGES OF 0 AND 3 MONTHS WITHOUT CONSULTING YOUR PHYSICIAN!!!

Doses of Acetaminophen may be given at intervals of every 4 hours, as needed.

MOTRIN or ADVIL (IBUPROFEN) DOSING
WT. (lbs.) AGE ORAL DROPS
Motrin Only***
50mg/1.2cc
(dropful)
LIQUID SUSPENSION
100mg/5cc
(teaspoon)
CHEWABLE TABS**
50mg/tab
CHEWABLE TABS**
100mg/tab
(or caplet)
6-8* 0-2 mos* *IBUPROFEN SHOULD NOT BE USED IN CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 6 MONTHS
9-10* 0-2 mos*
11-12* 2-3 mos*
13-15* 4-5 mos*
16-18 6-8 mos 1 1/2 3/4    
19-20 9-10 mos 1 3/4 3/4
21-25 11-20 mos 2 1 2 1
26-30 21-30 mos   1 1/4 2 1/2 1
31-35 3 yrs 1 1/2 3 1 1/2
36-41 4-5 yrs 1 3/4 3 1/2 1 1/2
42-47 6 yrs 2 4 2
48-53 7 yrs   4 1/2 2
54-59 8 yrs 5 2 1/2
60-65 9 yrs 5 1/2 2 1/2

*IBUPROFEN SHOULD NOT BE USED IN CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 6 MONTHS.

**Remember: MOTRIN or ADVIL CHEWABLE TABS COME IN TWO DIFFERENT STRENGTHS (50 MG AND 100 MG) DOSES OF IBUPROFEN MAY BE GIVEN AT INTERVALS OF EVERY 6-8 HOURS, AS NEEDED.

***ADVIL ORAL DROPS ARE NOT THE SAME AS MOTRIN. ADVIL DROPS HAVE A DIFFERENT DOSING SCHEDULE. PLEASE CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN REGARDING THE USE OF ADVIL ORAL DROPS.

BENADRYL DOSAGE (ANTIHISTAMINE)
Children's weight (more than pounds) 22 33 44 55 110 lbs
Total amount (mg) 10 15 20 25 50 mg
Liquid 12.5/5ml (tsp) 3/4 1 11/2 2 - tsp
Chewable 12.5 mg - 1 11/2 2 4 tablets
Capsules 25 mg - - - 1 2 caps

Benadryl Dosage: 0.5 mg/pound/dose (1.0 mg/kg/dose) every 6-8 hours.
Adults: 50 mg max.
DON'T USE UNDER 1 YEAR OF AGE (reason: it's a sedative).

top of page