Medication Dosing Charts

DOSAGE: Determine by finding the child’s WEIGHT in the first column of the dosing table.
MEASURING the DOSAGE: Syringes and droppers are more accurate than teaspoons. If possible, use the syringe or dropper that comes with the medication. If you use a teaspoon, it should be a measuring spoon, as regular spoons are not reliable.
1 level teaspoon equals 5mL. 1/2 teaspoon equals 2.5mL.
Avoid multi-ingredient products in children under 6 years of age (FDA recommendations 1/2008).
Please note: These are guidelines only and don’t constitute medical advice.

Ibuprofen Dosing Chart

Child’s Weight (pounds)	Infant Drops (50mg per 1.25mL)	Liquid (100mg per 5mL/teaspoon)	Chewable 50mg tablets	Junior-Strength 100mg tablets	Adult-Strength 200 mg tablets	Ibuprofen FAQ
12 to 17	1.25mL	2.5mL 1/2 teaspoon	1	—	—	BRAND NAMES: Advil, Motrin, generic ibuprofen INDICATIONS: Treats fever and pain. FREQUENCY: Repeat every 6-8 hours as needed. AGE LIMIT: Don’t use under 6 months unless directed by doctor. (Reason: Safety not established and doesn’t have FDA approval). ADULT DOSAGE: 400mg
18 to 23	1.875mL	3.75mL 3/4 teaspoon	1.5	—	—
24 to 35	2.5mL	5mL 1 teaspoon	2	—	—
36 to 47	3.75mL	7.5mL 1-1/2 teaspoons	3	—	—
48 to 59	5mL	10mL 2 teaspoons	4	2	1
60 to 71	—	12.5mL 2-1/2 teaspoons	5	2-1/2	1
72 to 95	—	15mL 3 teaspoons	6	3	1-1/2
96+	—	20mL 4 teaspoons	8	4	2

Acetaminophen Dosing Chart

Child’s Weight (pounds)	Syrup (160mg per 5mL/1 teaspoon)	Chewable 80mg tablets	Chewable 160mg tablets	Adult 325 mg tablets	Adult 500 mg tablets	Acetaminophen FAQ
6 to 11	1.25mL	—	—	—	—	BRAND NAMES: Tylenol, Feverall (suppositories), generic acetaminophen INDICATIONS: Treats fever and pain. FREQUENCY: Repeat every 4-6 hours as needed. Don’t give more than 5 times a day. AGE LIMIT: Don’t use under 12 WEEKS of age. (Reason: Fever during the first 12 weeks of life needs to be documented in a medical setting and requires a complete evaluation.) EXCEPTION: Fever from immunization if the child is 8 WEEKS of age or older. ADULT DOSAGE: 600mg (maximum of 3,000mg in a 24-hour period)
12 to 17	2.5mL 1/2 teaspoon	—	—	—	—
18 to 23	3.75mL 3/4 teaspoon	1/2	—	—	—
24 to 35	5mL 1 teaspoon	2	—	—	—
36 to 47	7.5mL 1-1/2 teaspoon	3	—	—	—
48 to 59	10mL 2 teaspoons	4	2	1	—
60 to 71	12.5mL 2-1/2 teaspoon	5	2-1/2	1	—
72 to 95	15mL 3 teaspoon	6	3	1-1/2	1
96+	20mL 4 teaspoon	8	4	2	1

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) Dosing Chart — Please contact doctor if under 12 months of age

Child’s Weight (pounds)	Liquid (12.5mg per 5mL/1 teaspoon)	Chewable 12.5mg tablets	Tablets 25mg	Capsules 25mg	Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) FAQ
20 to 24 (Over 12 months of age)	3.75mL 3/4 teaspoon	—	—	—	BRAND NAME: Benadryl INDICATIONS: Treatment of allergic reactions, nasal allergies, hives and itching. FREQUENCY: Repeat every 6 hours as needed. AGE LIMITS: For allergies, don’t use under 1 year of age. (Reason: It’s a sedative). For colds, not recommended at any age (Reason: No proven benefits) and should be avoided if under 4 years old. Avoid multi-ingredient products in children under 6 years of age. (Reason: FDA recommendations 10/2008). ADULT DOSAGE: 50 mg. CHILDREN’S BENADRYL FASTMELTS: Each fastmelt tablet contains the equivalent of 12.5 mg of Diphenhydramine HCL and is dosed the same as chewable tablets.
25 to 37	5mL 1 teaspoon	1 chewable tablet	1/2 tablet	—
38 to 49	7.5mL 1-1/2 teaspoon	1-1/2 chewable tablets	1/2 tablet	—
50 to 99	10mL 2 teaspoons	2 chewable tablets	1 tablet	1 capsule
100+	—	4 chewable tablets	2 tablets	2 capsules