Below is a list of over the counter medicine dosages for infants, toddlers and older children.
Below is a list of over the counter medicine dosages for infants, toddlers and older children.
Acetaminophen [Tylenol®]
Choose between different brands of acetaminophen based on taste and cost. This medicine can be given every 4 hours. The dose for your child should be based on their weight. Note that Tylenol® and other brands of acetaminophen are doing away with Infant Drops as of early 2012. The Infant's Suspension Liquid will need to be used for intants. Carefully pick the right dose for infants and toddlers by the appropriate millileter (mL) dose for their weight.
| Weight | Infant's Suspension 160mg/5mL | Children's Suspension 160mg/5mL | Chewable Tablets
160mg | Regular 325mg Tablets |
| Less than 12 lbs | 1/4 tsp. (1.25 mL) | -- | -- | -- |
| 12-17 lbs | 1/2 tsp. (2.5 mL) | -- | -- | -- |
| 18-23 lbs | 3/4 tsp. (3.75 mL) | -- | -- | -- |
| 24-35 lbs | 1 tsp. (5 mL) | 1 tsp. (5 mL) | 1 tablet | -- |
| 36-47 lbs | -- | 1.5 tsp. 7.5 mL) | 1.5 tablets | -- |
| 48-59 lbs | -- | 2 tsp. (10 mL) | 2 tablets | -- |
| 60-71 lbs | -- | 2.5 tsp. (12.5 mL) | 2.5 tablets | -- |
| 72-95 lbs | -- | 3 tsp. (15 mL) | 3 tablets | 1 tablet |
| >95 lbs | -- | -- | -- | 2 tablets |
Ibuprofen [Motrin®, Advil®]
Ibuprofen has the same ability to lower fever as acetaminophen, but they work in different ways. Ibuprofen can be given as often as every 6 hours. Do NOT give a child less than 6 months of age or a child with chicken pox, dehydration, or a history of kidney problems any ibuprofen unless instructed by a doctor. The dose for your child should be based on their weight.
| Weight | Infant Drops 50mg/1.25mL | Children's Suspension 100mg/5mL | Chewable Tablets 100mg | Regular 200mg Tablets |
| 12-17 lbs | 1 dropper / 1.25 mL | 0.5 tsp. (2.5 mL) | -- | -- |
| 18-23 lbs | 1.5 droppers / 1.875 mL | 0.75 tsp. (3.75 mL) | | -- |
| 24-35 lbs | 2 droppers / 2.5 mL | 1 tsp. (5 mL) | 1 tablet | -- |
| 36-47 lbs | -- | 1.5 tsp. (7.5 mL) | 1.5 tablet | -- |
| 48-59 lbs | -- | 2 tsp. (10 mL) | 2 tablets | 1 tablet |
| 60-71 lbs | -- | 2.5 tsp. (12.5 mL) | 2.5 tablets | 1 tablet |
| 72-95 lbs | -- | 3 tsp. (15 mL) | 3 tablets | 1.5 tablets |
| >95 lbs | -- | -- | -- | 2 tablets |
Acetaminophen Suppositories
For children who are nauseous or vomiting and have a fever. Feverall® rectal suppositories are available over-the-counter to treat a fever. The dosing is every 4 hours.
| Age | Infant 80mg | Children's 120mg | Junior Strength 325mg |
| 3-11 months | 1 suppository | -- | -- |
| 12-35 months | 1 suppository | -- | -- |
| 3-5 years | -- | 1 suppository | -- |
| 6-12 years | -- | -- | 1 suppository |
Combining Fever Reducers
If a fever continues despite doses of acetaminophen or ibuprofen, the two can be given on the same day. If the fever has persisted, we recommend alternating doses every 3 hours. For instance, if Tylenol was given at noon and a fever is present at 3pm, a dose of Motrin can be given. These alternating Tylenol-Motrin-Tylenol-Motrin doses can be safely continued for as long as the fever persists.
Acetaminophen [Tylenol®]
Choose between different brands of acetaminophen based on taste and cost. This medicine can be given every 4 hours. The dose for your child should be based on their weight. Note that Tylenol® and other brands of acetaminophen are doing away with Infant Drops as of early 2012. The Infant's Suspension Liquid will need to be used for intants. Carefully pick the right dose for infants and toddlers by the appropriate millileter (mL) dose for their weight.
| Weight | Infant's Suspension 160mg/5mL | Children's Suspension 160mg/5mL | Chewable Tablets
160mg | Regular 325mg Tablets |
| Less than 12 lbs | 1/4 tsp. (1.25 mL) | -- | -- | -- |
| 12-17 lbs | 1/2 tsp. (2.5 mL) | -- | -- | -- |
| 18-23 lbs | 3/4 tsp. (3.75 mL) | -- | -- | -- |
| 24-35 lbs | 1 tsp. (5 mL) | 1 tsp. (5 mL) | 1 tablet | -- |
| 36-47 lbs | -- | 1.5 tsp. 7.5 mL) | 1.5 tablets | -- |
| 48-59 lbs | -- | 2 tsp. (10 mL) | 2 tablets | -- |
| 60-71 lbs | -- | 2.5 tsp. (12.5 mL) | 2.5 tablets | -- |
| 72-95 lbs | -- | 3 tsp. (15 mL) | 3 tablets | 1 tablet |
| >95 lbs | -- | -- | -- | 2 tablets |
Ibuprofen [Motrin®, Advil®]
Ibuprofen has the same ability to lower fever as acetaminophen, but they work in different ways. Ibuprofen can be given as often as every 6 hours. Do NOT give a child less than 6 months of age or a child with chicken pox, dehydration, or a history of kidney problems any ibuprofen unless instructed by a doctor. The dose for your child should be based on their weight.
| Weight | Infant Drops 50mg/1.25mL | Children's Suspension 100mg/5mL | Chewable Tablets 100mg | Regular 200mg Tablets |
| 12-17 lbs | 1 dropper / 1.25 mL | 0.5 tsp. (2.5 mL) | -- | -- |
| 18-23 lbs | 1.5 droppers / 1.875 mL | 0.75 tsp. (3.75 mL) | | -- |
| 24-35 lbs | 2 droppers / 2.5 mL | 1 tsp. (5 mL) | 1 tablet | -- |
| 36-47 lbs | -- | 1.5 tsp. (7.5 mL) | 1.5 tablet | -- |
| 48-59 lbs | -- | 2 tsp. (10 mL) | 2 tablets | 1 tablet |
| 60-71 lbs | -- | 2.5 tsp. (12.5 mL) | 2.5 tablets | 1 tablet |
| 72-95 lbs | -- | 3 tsp. (15 mL) | 3 tablets | 1.5 tablets |
| >95 lbs | -- | -- | -- | 2 tablets |
Acetaminophen Suppositories
For children who are nauseous or vomiting and have a fever. Feverall® rectal suppositories are available over-the-counter to treat a fever. The dosing is every 4 hours.
| Age | Infant 80mg | Children's 120mg | Junior Strength 325mg |
| 3-11 months | 1 suppository | -- | -- |
| 12-35 months | 1 suppository | -- | -- |
| 3-5 years | -- | 1 suppository | -- |
| 6-12 years | -- | -- | 1 suppository |
Combining Fever Reducers
If a fever continues despite doses of acetaminophen or ibuprofen, the two can be given on the same day. If the fever has persisted, we recommend alternating doses every 3 hours. For instance, if Tylenol was given at noon and a fever is present at 3pm, a dose of Motrin can be given. These alternating Tylenol-Motrin-Tylenol-Motrin doses can be safely continued for as long as the fever persists.
Cold, Cough, and Allergy Medications
For more information about colds, coughs, allergies, and sinus infections, please see the Colds, Coughs, Allergies, and Sinus Infections Protocol. We do not recommend that children receive cough and cold medicine if they are less than 4 years of age unless we specifically tell you it is fine to try.
A=antihistamine D=decongestant C=cough suppressant E=expectorant
- 1 teaspoon (tsp.)=5 milliliters (ml.)
- 1 tablespoon (Tbsp.)=15 milliliters (ml.)
- 1 ounce (oz.)=30 ml.
- lbs=pounds
Over-the-Counter Medicines:
- Allegra® Children's Liquid [A] 2-11 years: 1 tsp. 12 years and above: 2 tsp. Every 12 hours.
- Allegra® Meltable Tablets [A] 6-11 years: 1 tablet. 12 years and above: 2 tablets. Every 12 hours.
- Benadryl® Allergy Liquid [A] Less than 25 lbs: ½ tsp. 25-50 lbs: 1 tsp. Greater than 50 lbs: 2 tsp. Every 6 hours.
- Benadryl® Allergy Fastmelt [A] 2-5 years: 1 tablet. 6-11 years: 1-2 tablets. 12 years and above: 2-4 tablets. Every 6 hours.
- Children's Vicks® NyQuil [A+C] 4-5 years: 7.5 ml. 6-11 years: 15 ml. Every 6 hours.
- Claritin® Children's Allergy Suspension [A] 2-5 years: 1 tsp. 6 years and above: 2 tsp. Every 24 hours.
- Claritin® 24 Hour Allergy Tablets or RediTabs 6 years and above: 1 tablet. Every 24 hours.
- Delsym® Cough Formula [C] 6-11 years: 1 tsp. 12 years and above: 2 tsp. Every 12 hours.
- Delsym® Children's Night Time Cough & Cold [D+A] 6-11 years: 1 tsp. 12 years and above: 2 tsp. Every 4 hours.
- Dimetapp® Cold and Allergy Chewable or Quick Dissolve Tablets [D+A] 4-5 years: 1 tablet. 6-12 years: 2 tablets. Every 4 hours.
- Dimetapp® Cold and Allergy Elixir [D+A] 4-5 years: 1 tsp. 6-11 years: 2 tsp. 12 years and above: 4 tsp. Every 4 hours.
- Dimetapp® Cold and Cough DM [D+A+C] Same as Dimetapp Cold and Allergy Elixir above. Every 4 hours.
- Dimetapp® ND Non-Drowsy Allergy Tablets or Syrup [A] 4-5 years: 1 tsp. 6 and above: 1 tablet or 2 tsp. Every 24 hours.
- Mucinex® (Children's Cough Liquid) [E] 4-5 years: 1/2 - 1 tsp. every 4 hours 6-11 years: 1-2 tsp. every 4 hours.
- Mucinex® (Children's Mini-Melts) [E] 4-5 years: 1-2 packets every 4 hours. 6-11 years: 2 to 4 packets every 4 hours.
- Mucinex® (Children's Congestion & Cough) [E+D +C] 4-5 years: 1/2 - 1 tsp. every 4 hours. 6-11 years: 1-2 tsp. every 4 hours.
- PediaCare® Nighttime Cold Liquid [D + A] or PediaCare Daytime Cold [D+C] or PediaCare Cough & Congestion [E + C] 4-5 years: 1 tsp. 6-11 years: 2 tsp. Every 4 hours.
- Robitussin® Cough Long Acting [C] 4-5 years: 1 tsp. 6-11 years: 2 tsp. 12 years and above: 4 tsp. Every 6-8 hours.
- Robitussin® Cough & Cold Long Acting [A+C] 4-5 years: 1 tsp. 6-11 years: 2 tsp. 12 years and above: 4 tsp. Every 6 hours.
- Triaminic® Long-Acting Cough [C] or Triaminic® Night Time Cough & Cold [D + A] or Triaminic® Cold & Allergy [D + A] or Triaminic Daytime Cold & Cough [D+C] 4-5 years: 1 tsp. 6-11 years: 2 tsp. Every 4 hours (except the Long-Acting Cough and Night Time, which are every 6 hours)
- Zyrtec® Tablets 10mg 1 once a day or Chewables 5 mg (4-5 years: 1 once a day), 10 mg (6 years and above) or Allergy Syrup (4-5 years: 1/2 tsp. once daily. 6 and above: 1 tsp. daily.
