Acetaminophen: may be used in children and infants over 2 months of age
Concentrations of Acetaminophen vary depending on the brand. It is ESSENTIAL that you check the concentration (e.g. the mg, or milligrams, in each ml, teaspoon, suppository, or tablet) listed on the medication label.
Forms & Strengths of ACETAMINOPHEN available are:
Infant drops: 80mg per dropper (0.8mL)
Infants and Children’s elixir: 160mg per teaspoonful (5mL)
Chewable tablets: 80mg & 160mg sizes
Tablets/Capsules/Caplets: 325mg & 500mg sizes
Suppositories 60mg, 80mg, 120mg, & 325mg sizes
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Acetaminophen dosage is calculated as follows (or see chart below): 6 x (child’s weight in lbs) mg every 4 hours OR 15 x (child’s weight in kg) mg every 4 hours Maximum single dose 500mg Maximum daily dose 2000mg |
There is a considerable margin of safety in this medication’s dose – you may therefore round up or down to the nearest convenient amount (e.g. if you calculate 140mg give 160, if you calculate 90 give 80, etc.) The suppositories are particularly useful if a child is vomiting or refuses to take medications. HOWEVER: these doses are for ACUTE, short term fever or pain management only.
Ibuprofen: may be used in children and infants over 6 months of age.
Forms & Strengths of IBUPROFEN available are:
Infant’s liquid 50mg per 1.25 mL
Children’s liquid 100mg per teaspoonful
Chewable Tablets 100mg each
Tablets 200mg each
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Ibuprofen dosage is calculated as follows (or see chart below): 4 X (child’s weight in lbs) mg every 6hours, or 10 x (child’s weight in kg) mg every 6 hours Maximum single dose 600mg Maximum daily dose 2400mg |
Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen work by different mechanisms and so may be given simultaneously to achieve even greater fever control efficacy!
FEVER CONTROL DOSING CHART
|
Weight (kg) |
Acetaminophen Dose |
Ibuprofen |
Weight (lbs) |
|
2.0 – 4.0 |
40 mg |
Do not use |
4½- 8½ |
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4.1- 6.7 |
80 mg |
Do not use |
9 – 14½ |
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6.6 – 9.3 |
120 mg |
75 mg |
15 – 20½ |
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9.4 – 12.0 |
160 mg |
100 mg |
21- 26 |
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12.1- 14.7 |
200 mg |
125 mg |
27 – 32 |
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14.8 – 17.3 |
240 mg |
150 mg |
32 – 38 |
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17.4 – 20.0 |
280 mg |
175 mg |
38 – 44 |
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20.1- 22.7 |
320 mg |
200 mg |
44 – 50 |
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22.8 – 25.3 |
360 mg |
225 mg |
50 – 56 |
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25.4 – 29.3 |
400 mg |
250 mg |
56 – 65 |
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29.4 – 34.7 |
480 mg |
300 mg |
65 – 76 |
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34.8 – 40.3 |
560 mg |
350 mg |
76 – 89 |
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40.4 – 55.0 |
650 mg |
400 mg |
89 – 120 |
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55.1 – and up |
1000 mg |
600 mg |
121- and up |
DIMETAPP Dosing Chart:
(Give every 4-6 hours)
| Age | Dimetapp Cold & Allergy (Elixir & Chewable tabs) |
| < 1 y | Don’t Give |
| 1-2 y | 1/2 tsp (2.5cc) or 1/2 tab (on medical advice only) |
| 2-4 y | 1 tsp (5cc) or 1 tab |
| 5-6 y | 1½ t sp (7.5cc) or 1½ tabs |
| 7-8 y | 2 tsp (10cc) or 2 tabs |
| 9-12 y | 3 tsp (15cc) or 3 tabs |
| 13+ y | 4 tsp (20cc) or 4 tabs |
BENADRYL DOSING CHART:
| Forms & Strengths of Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) are: | |
| Children’s syrup | 12.5 mg per 5ml (5ml=1 teaspoon) |
| Children’s liquid | 25 mg per 5ml |
| Children’s chewable tablets | 12.5 mg per tablet |
| Tablets/Caplets | 25 mg or 50mg each |
| Dosage of Diphenhydramine is calculated as follows:
0.5 X (child’s weight in lbs)= mg every 6h or (maximum dose = 50mg/dose, do not exceed 4 doses per day) |
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0.5 X (child’s weight in lbs)= mg every 6hours or |
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1 X (child’s weight in kg)= mg every 6hours |
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Maximum dose = 50mg/dose, do not exceed 4 doses per day |
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