Medication Dosing

  Please choose a medication below to learn more

 

Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

Products labeled “cold,” “cold and sinus,” “multisymptom,” or “PM” are not recommended for children under the age of 6, as they contain additional medications. Products may come in different doses. Read packages carefully to determine the specific concentration of liquids and/or the specific dose in each chewable or tablet. Always use the measuring device packaged with the liquid medication; do not substitute another measuring device.

Children’s liquid: 160 mg/5 mL = 160 mg/1 tsp
Children’s Meltaway/chewables (age 2-5): 80 mg each
Junior Meltaway/chewables (age 6-11): 160 mg each
Adult regular strength tablets/caplets/capsules: 325 mg each
Adult extra strength tablets/caplets/capsules: 500 mg each

Indication

Give for fever or pain.

Not recommended for relief of cold symptoms.

Not recommended under the age of 3 months without a doctor’s supervision

Timing

You may give a dose of acetaminophen (Tylenol) every 4-6 hours.

Maximum number of doses in a 24 hour period: 5

Weight Liquid 80 mg chews 160 mg chews 325 mg tabs
6-11 lbs
12-17 lbs  ½ tsp = 2.5 mL
18-23 lbs  ¾ tsp = 3.75 mL
24-35 lbs  1 tsp = 5 mL 2 chews 1 chew
36-47 lbs  1 ½ tsp = 7.5 mL 3 chews 1 ½ chews
48-59 lbs  2 tsp = 10 mL 4 chews 2 chews 1 tablet
60-71 lbs  2 ½ tsp = 12.5 mL 5 chews 2 ½ chews
72-95 lbs 3 tsp = 15 mL 6 chews 3 chews
>95 lbs 4 tsp = 20 mL 8 chews 4 chews 2 tablets

 

Ibuprofen (Motrin,Advil)

Products labeled “cold,” “cold and sinus,” “multisymptom,” or “PM” are not recommended for children under the age of 6, as they contain additional medications. Products may come in different doses. Read packages carefully to determine the specific concentration of liquids and/or the specific dose in each chewable or tablet. Always use the measuring device packaged with the liquid medication; do not substitute another measuring device.

Concentrated infants’ drops: 50 mg/1.25 mL
Children’s liquid: 100 mg/5 mL = 100 mg/1 tsp
Junior strength chewables: 100 mg each
Junior strength caplets: 100 mg each
Adult tablets or caplets: 200 mg each

Indication

Give for fever or pain.

Not recommended for relief of cold symptoms.

Not recommended for children under the age of 6 months.

Timing

You may give a dose of ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) every 6-8 hours.

Maximum number of doses in a 24 hour period: 4

Weight Drops Liquid Chewable/Caplet Adult Tablets
12-17 lbs 1.25 mL ½ tsp = 2.5 mL
18-23 lbs 1.875 mL ¾ tsp = 3.75 mL
24-35 lbs 2.5 mL (1.25 x 2) 1 tsp = 5 mL 1 chew/cap
36-47 lbs 3.75 mL (1.875 x 2) 1 ½ tsp = 7.5 mL 1 ½ chews/caps
48-59 lbs 2 tsp = 10 mL 2 chews/caps 1 adult tablet
60-71 lbs 2 ½ tsp = 12.5 mL 2 ½ chews/caps
72-95 lbs 3 tsp = 15 mL 3 chews/caps
>95 lbs 4 tsp = 20 mL 4 chews/caps 2 adult tablets

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)

Products labeled “allergy plus cold” or “allergy plus sinus” are not recommended for children under the age of 6, as they contain additional medications. Always use the measuring device packaged with the liquid medication; do not substitute another measuring device.

Children’s liquid: 12.5 mg/5 mL = 12.5 mg/1 tsp
Children’s chewables or FastMelt tablets: 12.5 mg each
Adult tablets or capsules or Quick Dissolve Strips: 25 mg each

Indication

Give for hives, allergic reaction, itching, or seasonal allergy symptoms.

Not recommended as a sleep aid or for relief of cold symptoms.

Not recommended under the age of 1 without the supervision of a doctor.

Timing

You may give a dose of diphenhydramine (Benadryl) every 6 hours as needed.

Weight Liquid Chewable Tablets/capsules/strips
17-21 lbs ¾ tsp = 3.75 mL
22-32 lbs 1 tsp = 5 mL 1 chew
33-42 lbs 1 ½ tsp = 7.5 mL 1 ½ chews
43-53 lbs 2 tsp = 10 mL 2 chews 1 tablet
54-64 lbs 2 ½ tsp = 12.5 mL 2 ½ chews
65-75 lbs 3 tsp = 15 mL 3 chews
76-86 lbs 3 ½ tsp = 17.5 mL 3 ½ chews
>86 lbs 4 tsp = 20 mL 4 chews 2 tablets

 

Cetirizine (Zyrtec)

Products labeled “D” or “plus decongestant” are not recommended for children under the age of 6, as they contain additional medications. In addition, chewables and tablets may come in different doses. Read packages carefully to determine the specific dose in each chewable or tablet. Always use the measuring device packaged with the liquid medication; do not substitute another measuring device

Children’s Liquid 5 mg/5mL = 5 mg/1 tsp
Children’s chewables: 5 mg OR 10 mg each
Adult tablets or liquid gels: 5 mg OR 10 mg each

Indication

Give for hives, itching, or seasonal allergy symptoms.

Not recommended as a sleep aid or for relief of cold symptoms.

Not recommended under the age of 6 months.

Timing

You may give a dose of cetirizine (Zyrtec) either once or twice daily, as indicated below.

Age Liquid 5 mg Chew/Tabs 10 mg Chew/Tabs
6 – 11 months ½ tsp = 2.5 mL daily
12 – 23 months ½ tsp = 2.5 mL twice daily
2 – 5 years 1 tsp daily 1 daily
6 – 11 years 1 tsp daily, may increase to 2 tsp daily if needed 1 daily, may increase to 2 daily if needed 1 daily
12 + years 2 tsp daily 2 daily 1 daily

Loratadine (Claritin)

Products labeled “D” or “plus decongestant” are not recommended for children under the age of 6, as they contain additional medications. In addition, chewables and tablets may come in different doses. Read packages carefully to determine the specific dose in each chewable or tablet. Always use the measuring device packaged with the liquid medication; do not substitute another measuring device.

Children’s liquid: 5 mg/5 mL = 5 mg/1 tsp
Children’s chewables or RediTabs: 5 mg OR 10 mg each
Adult tablets, capsules, or RediTabs: 5 mg OR 10 mg each

Indication

Give for hives or allergy symptoms.

Not recommended for relief of cold symptoms.

Not recommended under the age of 2 years.

Timing

You may give a dose of loratadine (Claritin) once daily

Age Liquid 5 mg Chew/Tabs 10 mg Chew/Tabs
2 – 5 years  1 tsp 1 chewable daily
6 + years  2 tsp 2 chewables 1 chewable